The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had improved in July, declined in August. The Index now stands at 60.6 (1985=100), down from 65.4 in July. [cont.] Conference Board Read more »
Consumer Comfort In U.S. Slumps To Lowest Level Since January
Consumer confidence in the U.S. fell last week to the lowest level since January as Americans’ held more pessimistic views on their finances. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index decreased to minus 47.4 in the period ended Aug. 19, the sixth consecutive drop, from a minus 44.4 the prior period. [cont.] […] Read more »
The Lost Decade of the Middle Class
As the 2012 presidential candidates prepare their closing arguments to America’s middle class, they are courting a group that has endured a lost decade for economic well-being. Since 2000, the middle class has shrunk in size, fallen backward in income and wealth, and shed some—but by no means all—of its […] Read more »
Secret E-Scores Chart Consumers’ Buying Power
… So here’s a new score to obsess about: the e-score, an online calculation that is assuming an increasingly important, and controversial, role in e-commerce. These digital scores, known broadly as consumer valuation or buying-power scores, measure our potential value as customers. What’s your e-score? You’ll probably never know. That’s […] Read more »
Consumer sentiment at three-month high in early August
U.S. consumer sentiment improved in early August to the highest in three months as sales at retailers and low mortgage rates spurred Americans to boost their buying plans, a survey showed on Friday. But concerns about rising food prices caused a jump in both short- and long-term inflation expectations, according […] Read more »
Americans’ Views On Economy Are Most Pessimistic Since November
Americans this month were the most pessimistic on the economic outlook since late last year as fuel prices rose and unemployment remained elevated. [cont.] Bloomberg Read more »