The numbers: The initial reading of consumer sentiment jumped to 83 in early March, according to an index produced by the University of Michigan. That is the highest level in a year. Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had forecast the index would rise to 78.9. What happened: The …
Read More »Economic Report: Consumer sentiment improves slightly in late February, but Americans still aren’t optimistic about economy
The numbers: Americans are still unsure how rapidly the U.S. economy will recover from the pandemic and restore millions of jobs that have been lost even as the rate of vaccinations speeds up, a new survey showed. The final reading of consumer sentiment in February inched up to 76.8 points …
Read More »Economic Report: Consumer confidence rebounds on vaccine hopes and improving economy
The numbers: Consumer confidence bounced back a bit in January as Americans looked past the high number of coronavirus cases and deaths toward greater availability of vaccines and an improving economy. The index of consumer confidence rose to 89.3 this month from a revised 87.1 in December, the Conference Board said …
Read More »Economic Report: U.S. consumer sentiment deteriorates in late December
The numbers: The second and final reading of the consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan fell to 80.7 in December from an initial 81.4 earlier in the month. The index remained higher than the 76.9 reading in November. Economists polled by MarketWatch had forecast the index would slip …
Read More »Economic Report: Consumer confidence tumbles in December to lowest level since lockdown
The numbers: Consumer confidence stumbled for the second straight month in December, hitting its lowest level since during the worst of the cornavirus lockdowns in May. The index of consumer confidence fell to 88.6 this month from a revised 92.9 in November, the Conference Board said Tuesday. Economists polled by …
Read More »Economic Report: Consumer confidence deflates in November after record coronavirus surge
The election of Joe Biden as president has increased confidence among Democrats, but not enough to counter growing worries about the record spike in coronavirus cases. alex edelman/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images The numbers: Consumer confidence fell in November to a three-month low after a record wave of coronavirus cases spurred some …
Read More »NewsWatch: Stock-market bulls are counting on the consumer staying strong — should they?
MARKETWATCH FRONT PAGE Bulls are convinced the American consumer — and the stock market — are going to be fine, even if politicians fail to approve another round of fiscal stimulus before next month’s elections. But some economists see consumption taking a big hit after a robust third quarter. See …
Read More »Economic Report: Consumer sentiment hits a six-month high in September for best reading since COVID-19 erupted
Americans grew more optimistic toward the end of September as consumer sentiment reached a six-month high, reflecting more confidence in the U..S. economy after a summer lull. The final consumer sentiment survey in September climbed to 80.4 from a preliminary reading of 78.9, the University of Michigan said Friday. It …
Read More »Economic Report: Consumer sentiment remains weak in August amid swirling coronavirus pessimism
Americans didn’t feel any better about the economy or their own financial situation in August than they did in the previous month, reflecting broad worries about the still-spreading coronavirus and the likelihood of a slow recovery, a new survey showed. The preliminary reading of the consumer sentiment survey in August …
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