Consumer sentiment last week hovered close to its highest level in more than five years, a sign the biggest part of the U.S. economy will keep expanding. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index fell to minus 29.5 in the week ended May 5 from minus 28.9 in the prior period, which was […] Read more »
Confidence in the Economy Ties Record High
Gallup’s U.S. Economic Confidence Index was -8 last week, matching the five-year weekly high set the week ending Feb. 3. The current score is up from -13 the previous week. … The recovery in April to the levels seen in January and February suggests the impact of the sequester may […] Read more »
Middle-Aged Americans Most Worried About Finances
Middle-aged Americans are more likely than those younger and older to worry about personal financial issues. Within this broad middle-aged category, those aged 50 to 64 are either as likely as or more likely than those aged 30 to 49 to worry about most financial problems. [cont.] Frank Newport & […] Read more »
Americans’ Financial Worry Lowest Since Before Recession
Americans’ financial worry has eased to the lowest level since before the recession. Gallup classifies 53% of Americans as highly or moderately worried about their finances, down from a peak of 61% a year ago, and the lowest since 45% in 2007. … Retirement savings and paying medical costs in […] Read more »
Political ideology affects energy-efficiency attitudes and choices
This research demonstrates how promoting the environment can negatively affect adoption of energy efficiency in the United States because of the political polarization surrounding environmental issues. Study 1 demonstrated that more politically conservative individuals were less in favor of investment in energy-efficient technology than were those who were more politically […] Read more »
Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index Improves in April
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had declined in March, increased in April. The Index now stands at 68.1 (1985=100), up from 61.9 in March. The Present Situation Index increased to 60.4 from 59.2. The Expectations Index improved to 73.3 from 63.7 last month. [cont.] Conference Board Read more »