American consumers in 2013 were more upbeat than at any time in the previous six years as views on the economy, finances and the buying climate improved. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index (COMFCOMF) averaged minus 31.4 for 2013, the highest since 2007, when it was minus 10.5. The weekly index […] Read more »
Economic Confidence Rising, but Still Negative
The Gallup Economic Confidence Index averaged -17 last week, significantly improved from the -39 found in mid-October during the federal government shutdown. But the index remains stuck in negative territory at the end of 2013 and is considerably below the peak of -3 measured in early June. CONT. Alyssa Brown, […] Read more »
Consumer Confidence Rebounds in December
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had decreased in November, rebounded in December. The Index now stands at 78.1 (1985=100), up from 72.0 in November. The Present Situation Index increased to 76.2 from 73.5. The Expectations Index increased to 79.4 from 71.1 last month. CONT. Read more »
Gallup: A review of the year’s major findings, from politics to well-being
Gallup.com chronicled Americans’ responses to the major issues and events that will define 2013 in the annals of history, from Edward Snowden’s revelations about U.S. government spying to the federal government shutdown, to the possibility of war with Syria. Gallup’s editors and writers explored what was perhaps the biggest development […] Read more »
Small-Business Owners: Mixed Expectations for 2014
U.S. small-business owners are slightly more negative than positive as they look ahead to the new year. Twenty-eight percent say they are less optimistic about their business’ future going into 2014 than they were going into 2013, while 23% say they are more optimistic. The rest say their optimism is […] Read more »
Many Americans feel economy isn’t improving
Despite a recent string of positive economic news, Americans say they aren’t feeling the improvements. A new CNN/ORC poll released Friday showed people were pessimistic that the economy was improving. Nearly 70% said the economy is generally in poor shape, and only 32% rated it good. CONT. Gregory Wallace, CNN Read more »