Trade Conflicts Weigh on Confidence, Posing a Risk to Trump

Economists and business leaders have been warning for months that President Trump’s trade war could damage the economy. The American public increasingly shares those concerns. Consumers have been a bulwark of support for the economy, remaining confident even as hiring has slowed, the manufacturing sector has slumped and financial markets […] Read more »

U-M Surveys of Consumers: Tariffs weaken confidence

The Consumer Sentiment Index posted its largest monthly decline in August 2019 (-8.6 points) since December 2012 (-9.8 points), according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The 2012 plunge reflected widespread fears among consumers that they would be pushed off the “fiscal cliff” due to rising taxes and […] Read more »

Americans’ economic outlook: Optimism, but Trump tweets and trade raise concerns

Slightly more Americans say they’re optimistic about the economy rather than pessimistic going forward, though many are unsure. Looking at their own pocketbooks, Americans are more optimistic about their own financial situation than pessimistic. As is the case with many views these days — even those that might seem otherwise […] Read more »