Consumer Spending Growth Expectations Spike, while Inflation Expectations Edge Back Up

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Center for Microeconomic Data today released the February 2022 Survey of Consumer Expectations, which shows an increase in short-and medium-term inflation expectations, reversing some of last month’s sharp declines. Median home price expectations, on the other hand, declined. Year-ahead earnings growth expectations remained […] Read more »

Strong jobs sentiment keeps overall U.S. consumer confidence stable despite inflation worries

Overall consumer sentiment is holding steady despite Americans’ strong concerns about the effect of the war in Ukraine on their daily life, including rising gas and food prices and worsening supply chain issues. The main index reads at 52.5 in this week’s Ipsos-Forbes Advisor U.S. Consumer Confidence Tracker, down only […] Read more »

How Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will affect the American economy

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week isn’t just an international story. It might also have deep impacts within the U.S., affecting economics and politics in an electorate that has started the year in a sour mood. Last year should have sparked more joy among Americans. It was marked by big […] Read more »

Most Americans have come out ahead economically in the pandemic, despite inflation

Public discontent with America’s pandemic-battered economy obscures the good news: Even after inflation, most of the country has been coming out ahead. Red-hot demand for labor means lower-income workers can command wage increases that outpace rising prices. So can middle-income workers who switch jobs. Relief checks approved by lawmakers of […] Read more »

Americans Expect Inflation to Persist Over Next Six Months

More Americans expect several key U.S. economic trends to continue in the direction they have generally gone over the past several months rather than to reverse course. This includes predictions of rising inflation, rising stock values and declining unemployment. CONTINUED Jeffrey M. Jones, Gallup The OPINION TODAY email newsletter is a concise daily […] Read more »

Biden Starts Year Two With Diminished Public Support and a Daunting List of Challenges

Joe Biden began his presidency with positive job ratings and broad public confidence in his ability to deal with a number of major challenges – particularly the public health impact of the coronavirus. He starts his second year with diminished job approval and majorities expressing little or no confidence in […] Read more »