Gallup’s U.S. Economic Confidence Index increased slightly to -15 for the week ending Feb. 23, after registering -17 or lower the prior four weeks. While the index is still negative, it is nearing the highest weekly average in 2014 to date: -13 found in early January, before the Dow Jones […] Read more »
Americans Remain Positive About Foreign Trade
After years of being generally skeptical about foreign trade, or at best divided over it, Americans now firmly view trade as a benefit to the U.S. economy. Similar to last year, 54% of Americans say trade represents an opportunity for economic growth through increased U.S. exports, while 38% consider it […] Read more »
Republicans Should Tread Carefully On Minimum Wage
… Unlike Obamacare, Americans’ perceptions about the minimum wage are in line with Democrats. More Americans simply think that a rise in the minimum wage is a good thing for the economy. … Another risk for Republicans is that a mishandling of the issue widens their “economic empathy gap” problem. […] Read more »
Fewest Americans in Almost Two Years Say U.S. Economy Worsening
The share of consumers expecting the economy to worsen fell in February to an almost two-year low as Americans looked beyond harsh winter weather. Thirty percent, the fewest since May 2012, said the economy was headed in the wrong direction, data from the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed today. CONT. Michelle […] Read more »
U.S. Economic Confidence Holding Steady
Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index was -17 for the week ending Feb. 16, similar to the -18 of the previous week. Americans’ confidence in the economy has held steady in recent weeks, despite a discouraging January for the stock market, but improved late last week, after the sharp uptick in the […] Read more »
Unemployment Rises to Top Problem
Americans have a new No. 1 problem. Nearly one in four Americans mention jobs and unemployment as the most important problem facing the country, up from 16% in January. The government and politicians had topped the list since the government shutdown in October. CONT. Rebecca Riffkin, Gallup Read more »