consumer-confidence

The number of new unemployment claims filed nationwide was down to only 570,000 last week, but consumer confidence is at a four-month low. Maybe that's because newsworthy layoffs continue, including Whirlpool announcing that they will cut 1,100 full-time positions in the U.S., located in Evansville, Indiana.  More »

Consumer Confidence is down again. For example, the new score is 46.6. NPR says, "It would take a reading above 90 to signal that the economy is on solid footing."  More »

Well, after a quick, hi-energy burst of enthusiasm in the spring, we're back in the doldrums. The consumer confidence index is down to 49.3, below its May level of 54.8. (A level of 90 would indicate a "solid" economy.) And June sales figures due out next week are expected to show a fairly dismal 6% decline since May.  More »

Do you feel more confident? According to the Conference Board, consumer confidence is up to its highest level in eight months, and made its biggest increase in six years.  More »

The consumer confidence index plunged to 25 in Feb., down from 37.4 in Jan. Many economists only predicted it would fall to 35. The index is based on a monthly survey of 5,000 households, responding "positive", "negative" or "neutral" to five questions about how they feel about certain economic conditions. A decline means people are going to be spending less. Here's a more specific breakdown of how people responded to the specific questions:  More »

Consumers are hurting these days and they haven't hurt this bad since Papa Bush was in office way back in 1992.   More »

Consumer confidence hit 57.2 Tuesday, a 16-year low. Sad, sad, sad economy. [NYT]  More »

Consumer Confidence is now at a 26-year low. Do you need a hug? [Marketwatch]  More »

Consumer Confidence is now at a 16 year low, according to the Reuters/University of Michigan Survey of Consumers. [Reuters]  More »

Reuters says that consumer confidence has plunged to levels associated with the recessions of the '70s, '80s, and '90s.

The Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers index of consumer sentiment dropped to 69.6, the lowest reading since February 1992, and below analysts' median forecast for a preliminary reading of 76.3.  More »

There are mounting anecdotal signs that beginning in December Americans cut back significantly on personal consumption, which accounts for 70 percent of the economy.  More »

Turbulence: Consumer confidence drops to 2-year low. Home prices drop the sharpest they've ever dropped. Stocks fall 10%.  More »

Good work consumers, you spent $10.3 billion on Black Friday - an 8.3% increase from last year. Degree-holding pessimists forecast that sales would rise only 4 to 5 percent. [AP]  More »

Another consumer confidence index has plummeted to its lowest post-Katrina level, and retailers are crying in dark corners of their bedrooms, waiting for the inevitable disastrous holiday season.  More »

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke isn't feeling too optimistic about the economy these days, according to NPR. He warned Congress today of an coming economic slowdown tied to the subprime meltdown, the surge in energy prices, and oh yeah, did we mention the subprime meltdown?  More »

Hey there, camper! Why the long face? Bloomberg is reporting that consumer confidence is at a two year low. Does someone need a hug?  More »

Analysts aren't pleased with Lowe's and Target's latest news.   More »

It was only a few short weeks ago that the media was reporting a new 6 year high in consumer confidence. We wanted to buy tacos. And jetskis. And footballs.  More »

Feeling good? Consumer confidence took a huge jump this month, hitting a 6 year high! Woohoo! Let's buy tacos and jetskis and footballs!  More »