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 »
Consumer Confidence at Four-Month High
Consumer confidence climbed last week to a four-month high as an improving job market and holiday discounts put Americans in the mood to shop. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index (SPX) rose to minus 27.4 in the period ended Dec. 22, the fifth straight gain, from minus 29.4. CONT. Bloomberg Read more »
Consumer Comfort Rises to Highest Level Since September
Consumer confidence rose last week to the highest level since September, recovering the ground lost as a result of the partial federal shutdown and a sign the economy is regaining momentum. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort (COMFCOMF) Index climbed to minus 29.4 in the week ended Dec. 15, the fourth straight […] Read more »
Americans Slowly Regaining Confidence in the Economy
Americans’ confidence in the economy is still slowly recovering two months after the federal government shutdown ended. The Gallup Economic Confidence Index rose to -20 last week, a total improvement of 19 points since mid-October, and nearly back to the -15 measured in mid-September prior to the shutdown. CONT. Alyssa […] Read more »
Obama’s Economic Defectors
Things can change a lot in 12 months. Last year at this time, Democrats were celebrating President Barack Obama’s re-election and preparing for his second inauguration. But this week’s Wall Street Journal/NBC poll indicates Republicans are ending the year on a high note. Mr. Obama’s number have sunk, and Americans […] Read more »
Americans Won’t Be Easily Reassured About the Economy
… Conventional wisdom holds that if people see the economy improving, they will be less likely to “throw the bums out” in the next year’s elections. But the key is public perception of the economy, not month-to-month shifts in numbers. Although the National Bureau of Economic Research dates the last […] Read more »