Consumer sentiment increased to 63.9 in June, the highest since March as views on current and future economic conditions improved, according to the University of Michigan index released on Friday. While the index has bounced off the bottom of last June, it remains much lower than the pre-pandemic ... READ MORE >
Inflation expectations
Consumer sentiment drops as inflation expectations rise
Consumer sentiment in April plunged to its lowest level since November as views on both current economic conditions and expectations worsened, the University of Michigan reported on Friday. The top-line sentiment index dropped to 57.7 from 63.5 in April. The current conditions and ... READ MORE >
Consumer sentiment fell in March, before the financial turmoil
Consumer sentiment in March dropped to 63.4 from 67 as consumers’ confidence in the current economic conditions and their expectations both worsened on the month, according to the University of Michigan’s survey released Friday. The decline in sentiment, though, was not influenced by the ... READ MORE >
How many jobs need to be sacrificed to tame inflation? Cost is rising, RSM models show.
Events are outpacing the best-laid plans of policymakers. The current turmoil in the financial sector will place constraints on the Federal Reserve’s efforts to restore price stability. Our research indicates that the Fed, facing persistent inflation, will for now have to accept a ... READ MORE >
Bond market shows a shift in inflation expectations
In the first weeks of the year, financial markets have gone from anticipating a near-term end to the Federal Reserve’s price stability program to the realization that the Fed is not yet done. The S&P 500 increased by 9.3% through Feb. 2 as part of this broad expectation that the Fed would pause its ... READ MORE >
Consumer sentiment falls as outlook worsens
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 rises despite worsening inflation expectations
U.S. consumer sentiment rose for the fifth straight month to 59.8 in October but a worsening inflation outlook clouded the otherwise positive news, the University of Michigan reported on Friday. Solid income growth in a tight labor market is keeping household financial conditions strong as sentiment ... READ MORE >
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 >
Wholesale gas futures point to drop below $4 a gallon
An overheating economy and hot summer weather have put the American public on edge as rising inflation has deflated domestic purchasing power. Hot tempers and hotter thermostats may, however, find some relief during the final six weeks of summer through an easing in gasoline prices. Wholesale ... 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 >