Americans’ ratings of their own finances and the national economy dipped to a two-month low this week, stalling the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index after an early summer advance. While essentially unchanged from last week, the CCI, at 36.2 on a 0-100 scale, has slipped slightly from 37.6 two weeks ago […] Read more »
Are you happy?
… While the U.S. is an exceptional country in many ways, we are not exceptionally happy, ranking 11th in the world, ahead of France, Germany, Qatar and Colombia but behind Denmark, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands and Canada. But beyond their individual personalities and genetic endowments, what makes some people happier […] Read more »
Consumer confidence: Favorable job and wage growth boost spending
More rapid job creation, higher wages and gains in household wealth have eased the financial strains on households as well as supported more favorable buying plans for vehicles and household durables, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. CONT. Institute for Social Research, U. of Michigan Read more »
CNN Poll: Percentage who say economy’s ‘good’ on the rise
Most Americans still say that the economy’s in poor shape. But the percentage who describe economic conditions as good continue to slowly but steadily increase, and now stands at its highest level since before the last recession, according to a new national survey. CONT. Paul Steinhauser, CNN Read more »
Consumer Confidence Declines in U.S. to Lowest Since June
Confidence among U.S. consumers retreated last week to an almost two-month low as limited wage growth chipped away at perceptions about personal finances. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index fell to 36.3 in the period ended July 27, the lowest June 8, from 37.6 the week before. CONT. Nina Glinski, Bloomberg Read more »
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index Improves Again
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had improved in June, increased in July. The Index now stands at 90.9 (1985=100), up from 86.4 in June. The Present Situation Index increased to 88.3 from 86.3, while the Expectations Index rose to 92.7 from 86.4 in June. CONT. Conference Board Read more »