The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index declined by a sharp 5.2 points to 54.7 in the first half of November, slightly above the all-time low in June at 50, according to survey data released Friday. Both sentiment over current conditions and future expectations deteriorated significantly, ... READ MORE >
Consumer sentiment
Consumer sentiment rises to highest level since May
Consumer sentiment improved in September as inflation concerns eased, according to the University of Michigan's index released on Friday. The index rose to 59.5 in September, the highest since May. Still, consumers remain pessimistic compared to before the pandemic, when the long-term average was above ... READ MORE >
University of Michigan survey: Consumer sentiment rises on better economic outlook
U.S. consumer sentiment rose more than expected in August on the back of the sharp drop in gasoline prices, but remains near a record low as consumers shouldered multi-decade-high inflation and continuing economic uncertainty. The University of Michigan's monthly consumer sentiment index increased from ... READ MORE >
Consumer sentiment eases as industrial production falls
Consumer sentiment bounced off a historical low to 51.1 in July from 50.0 in June as gasoline prices eased markedly. That resulted in lower readings for inflation expectations for both the short-term one-year outlook and the long-term five- to 10-year expectations, according to survey data released by ... READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Consumer sentiment drops to record low
Consumer sentiment plunged in June as energy and gasoline prices spiked. The headline consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan dropped to 50.2, the lowest on record. Consumers became more concerned about inflation as both short- and long-term inflation expectations rose, according to a ... READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims remain low as consumer sentiment rises unexpectedly
Initial jobless claims last week rose to 185,000 yet remained significantly below the pre-pandemic level as the tight labor market discouraged layoffs, the Labor Department reported on Thursday. Our preferred measure for new filings for unemployment benefits—the 13-week moving average—continued to ... READ MORE >
Consumer goods spending continues hot trend
Consumer goods spending rebounded on a month-over-month basis in January, increasing 7.6% compared with a 6.8% decline in December 2021 when consumer spending was impacted from concerns of the omicron variant and elevated holiday sales in October and November 2021. This 7.6% increase exceeded the 2.1% ... READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Consumer sentiment improves slightly amid inflation
Consumer sentiment improved slightly in December, increasing from a decade low in November as concerns about gasoline and energy prices eased somewhat, according to the University of Michigan's consumer survey released on Friday. The headline consumer sentiment index rose to 70.4 on the month from 67.4 ... READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Consumer sentiment eases
The headline consumer sentiment index inched down to 71.4 in October from 72.8 in September because of an uptick in short-term inflation expectations and higher gas prices, according to data released by the University of Michigan on Friday. At the same time, consumer expectations for inflation in the ... READ MORE >
Buy later, pay later: Consumers postpone purchases amid high prices
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose slightly to 71.0 in September, following a nine-year low of 70.3 in August as consumers felt the impact of the delta variant and rising prices. The report, released on Friday, signals a temporary shift in spending as consumers delay purchases ... READ MORE >