A closely watched consumer confidence number that routinely moves markets upon release is accessed by an elite group of traders, for a fee, a full two seconds before its official release, according to a document obtained by CNBC. [cont.] Eamon Javers, CNBC Read more »
Consumer Comfort Declined Last Week to Two-Month Low
Consumer sentiment fell last week to a two-month low as Americans’ views toward their finances and buying plans faded. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index declined to minus 31.3 in the period ended June 9, the lowest since early April, from minus 29.7 a week earlier. [cont.] Lorraine Woellert, Bloomberg Read more »
Why Obama’s Approval Rating Isn’t Higher
The good news for President Obama and his administration is that all the controversies swirling around the White House have not had a significant impact on his job-approval ratings. The bad news is that, like so many other second-term administrations, Obama’s may end up spending so much of its last […] Read more »
Fewer Americans Expect to Be Better Off in a Year
Fewer Americans are now optimistic about their future personal financial situations, with 57% saying they will be better off in a year, down from 66% who said so last October. Optimism still surpasses pessimism, as 29% expect to be worse off a year from now — although that is up […] Read more »
Economy Still Top Issue, but Its Dominance Lessens
Americans continue to name the economy as the biggest problem facing the country, followed by unemployment and dissatisfaction with government. These are trailed by concerns about healthcare, ethics and moral decline, the federal budget deficit, immigration, and education, each mentioned by at least 5% of Americans. [cont.] Frank Newport, Gallup Read more »
Growing Faith in U.S. Economy Underpins Consumer Comfort
Consumer confidence last week was unchanged near a five-year high as Americans had the least pessimistic views on the economy since 2008. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index held at minus 29.7 in the period ended June 2. Sentiment about the current state of the economy improved to the best level […] Read more »