ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment tumbled 11.9 index points in March, the fourth-largest one-month decline in nearly a half century, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The steepest monthly decline was barely larger at -12.7 index points in response to the deepening recession in late 2008. The March survey also indicated that further declines… Continue reading Coronavirus recession: How deep and how long?

ANN ARBOR – Richard Curtin is director of the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers, which conducts national monthly surveys of consumer attitudes, expectations and behavior. He discusses below whether consumers are in a panic, a question he says he has been asked repeatedly in recent days. Here’s his response: The latest data from the… Continue reading Reduced consumer spending will outlast coronavirus

ANN ARBOR – Congratulations on making it through the first week of working from home! As we practice social distance, we hope that you are finding ways to maintain connections with your friends, colleagues, and loved ones virtually. This week, Zoom arrived on campus as another option for videoconferencing and its customizable “virtual background” feature… Continue reading Working from home? Download these virtual backgrounds to bring ISR to your Zoom conferences.

ANN ARBOR—Living rooms around the world can become places to learn how to start a business for social impact or to peek inside a museum to see homemade ancient wooden toy horses from Roman Egypt. The University of Michigan is providing multiple opportunities to learn and explore online while staying at home during the coronavirus… Continue reading At home during Coronavirus pandemic? U-M offers online courses, exhibits, speakers