Consumer confidence fell for a third straight week to the lowest level in more than four months as Americans’ views on the economy, finances and spending soured. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index declined to minus 31.7 for the period ended Aug. 25, its weakest reading since April 7, from minus […] Read more »
Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index Increases Slightly
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had declined in July, increased slightly in August. The Index now stands at 81.5 (1985=100), up from 81.0 in July. The Present Situation Index decreased to 70.7 from 73.6. The Expectations Index increased to 88.7 from 86.0 last month. [cont.] Conference Board Read more »
Economic Confidence Stuck in Negative Territory
Americans’ confidence in the economy is heading further into negative territory after almost reaching the net positive range in late May and early June. Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index, at -14 last week, remains down from the all-time weekly high of -3 measured in the week ending June 2, and has […] Read more »
Consumer Comfort in U.S. Declined Last Week to Two-Month Low
Consumer confidence fell last week to the lowest level in two months as Americans’ views on the economy deteriorated. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index (COMFCOMF) fell to minus 28.8 for the period ended Aug. 18 from minus 26.6. The two-week decrease from a more than five-year high reached in early […] Read more »
Hard Times, For Some
On July 24, President Obama returned to Galesburg, Ill. to reiterate a promise he made in 2005 as a freshman Senator: to create new opportunities for the nation’s beleaguered middle class. … Obama wants to raise living standards while powerful headwinds are pushing back. It’s not only Republican opposition. National […] Read more »
Small-Business Owners Most Optimistic Since 2008
U.S. small-business owners are more optimistic now than at any time since late 2008. The Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index improved to +25 in July, from +16 in the second quarter. The latest result, while not as high as pre-recession levels, is the highest index score since the third quarter […] Read more »