Consumer morale in first fall since Jan

LONDON (Reuters) - Consumer confidence unexpectedly fell this month for the first time since January, slipping back to its lowest level since August, a monthly survey by GfK NOP for the European Commission showed on Monday.

A worsening in consumers' view of the past 12 months and a decrease in their willingness to make big purchases prompted the index to fall to -17 in November from -13 the month before. This was well above last year's level of -35 but below a Reuters poll forecast of a rise to -11.

Consumers' assessment of their personal finances for the past and coming year also worsened, while their outlook for the general economy over the next 12 months was unchanged from October and points to modest improvement.

The survey was carried out between November 6 and November 15 and sampled 2,000 individuals.

(Reporting by David Milliken)