The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index has surged to its second-best level since the early days of the Great Recession, boosted by improving views of personal finances – their most positive in six years – and an improving outlook particularly among men and the better-off. CONT. Langer Research Associates Read more »
Optimism for Rising Home Values Is Highest Since 2007
Americans’ growing optimism about the housing market continues, with 56% of Americans now expecting average home prices in their local area to increase. That is up from 33% just two years ago, and from a low of 21% in January 2011, but still below the readings of 60% or higher […] Read more »
Americans’ Ratings of Their Personal Finances Inch Up
The number of Americans who rate their financial situations as “excellent” or “good” has rebounded to 48%, up from the lows of 41% reached in 2010 and 2012. A slim majority (52%) continue to rate their personal situation as “only fair” or “poor,” though this is down from a high […] Read more »
Retirement Remains Americans’ Top Financial Worry
A firm majority of Americans, 59%, are worried about not having enough money for retirement, surpassing eight other financial matters. A majority of Americans have reported being “very” or “moderately” worried about retirement savings every year since 2001, illustrating that saving for retirement disquiets Americans in both good and bad […] Read more »
Economic Confidence Stable at -15
Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index averaged -15 for the week ending April 20. This is consistent with the previous three weekly readings, which have been either -15 or -16. But it is higher than the -20 recorded in early March, the low point so far for 2014. CONT. Justin McCarthy, Gallup Read more »
Consumer Comfort in U.S. Climbs From Lowest Level in Nine Weeks
Consumer confidence rose from a nine-week low as Americans grew more upbeat about the economy, their finances and the buying climate. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort (COMFCOMF) Index rose to minus 29.1 in the period ended April 13 from minus 31.9 the prior week, the weakest reading since the start of […] Read more »