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 »
Fox News poll: Voters give 2013 a thumbs up, feel optimistic about economy
For the first time in years, people feel positive about how things went for their family this year. In addition, a slim majority feels optimistic about the economy next year. That’s according to a year-end Fox News poll released Monday. CONT. Dana Blanton, Fox News 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 »
America in 2013, as Told in Charts
Looking back on 2013, many of the economic and political themes seemed familiar: a weak economy. Growing income inequality. Gridlock in Washington. Partisan wrangling over fiscal policy. But others, like the disastrous rollout of the Affordable Care Act HealthCare.gov website and the government shutdown, were new or at least revivals. […] Read more »