Boosted by stabilizing gas prices, the confidence level of Californians increased this quarter compared with second quarter of 2006, according to a recent report from the Anderson Center for Economic Research at Chapman University. During the third quarter, the Center’s California Composite Index of Consumer Sentiment rose to 88.6, up from 79.5 in the second quarter as well as from the third quarter of 2005. Despite the increase, the third quarter of 2006 was the sixth consecutive quarter the consumer sentiment index stood below 100, reflecting a higher proportion of pessimistic versus optimistic consumers in the Golden State.