ANN ARBOR—Workers who are most vulnerable to pandemic layoffs are more likely people of color, underscoring the need for stimulus funding in order to keep racial inequality from growing, according to a new University of Michigan study. U-M researcher Brooke Helppie-McFall and colleague Joanne Hsu of Howard University and the Federal Reserve Board were interested… Continue reading Study underscores need for stimulus support to vulnerable groups
News Tag: Economic Behavior
U-M-sponsored research projects add $5.9B to economy since ’02
ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan research enterprise contributed $5.9 billion to the national economy over the past 18 years—$1.8 billion of which supported Michigan-based companies, according to a new report from the Institute for Research on Innovation and Science. The latest IRIS report provides a geographic snapshot of vendors that supplied goods and services to… Continue reading U-M-sponsored research projects add $5.9B to economy since ’02
U-M research on material hardship in 2020 offers guidance for next economic relief package
ANN ARBOR—Material hardship in the United States rose significantly in the final months of 2020 and was particularly high for households with children, according to new research from Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan. The rise in hardship occurred at a time when the income supports from the first COVID-19 relief bill, the Coronavirus… Continue reading U-M research on material hardship in 2020 offers guidance for next economic relief package
Consumer expectations stabilize despite partisan extremes
ANN ARBOR—The Consumer Sentiment Index has shown only relatively small variations since the pandemic started, averaging 81.5 in 2020, marginally above January’s 79.0. Needless to say, Sentiment levels were well below the average of 97.0 from 2017 to 2019, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The same relative stability at depressed COVID-19… Continue reading Consumer expectations stabilize despite partisan extremes
Joe Biden’s economic relief plan: U-M experts can comment
ANN ARBOR—President-elect Joe Biden outlined his proposal for a legislative package to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including economic relief measures, in a public address Thursday. University of Michigan faculty are available to comment on the potential impact of the proposal. H. Luke Shaefer is the faculty director of Poverty Solutions and the Hermann and… Continue reading Joe Biden’s economic relief plan: U-M experts can comment
Black business owners, entrepreneurs left out of small business coronavirus support
ANN ARBOR—As Congress considers a second coronavirus stimulus package, a University of Michigan study shows that particular consideration should be given to how small business loans are distributed to business owners and entrepreneurs—especially minority entrepreneurs. In March, the CARES Act was signed into law and provided, among other support for Americans, loans to support small… Continue reading Black business owners, entrepreneurs left out of small business coronavirus support
Consumer sentiment: Turning ‘Bah Humbug’ into ‘Happy Holidays’
ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment fell in November due to a sharp decline in economic prospects, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The decline was due to the current and expected resurgence in the COVID-19 virus as well as shifts in expectations following the outcome of the presidential election, said U-M economist Richard Curtin,… Continue reading Consumer sentiment: Turning ‘Bah Humbug’ into ‘Happy Holidays’
Is there a male breadwinner norm? Don’t look at spouses’ income to find out, U-M study says
ANN ARBOR—Previous research seems to show the tendency of women to sabotage themselves in order to earn less than their husbands. But a closer look at the data reveals that might not be the case. A 2015 paper, now well known in economics research, details a graph that appears to show women’s behavior in marriage… Continue reading Is there a male breadwinner norm? Don’t look at spouses’ income to find out, U-M study says
Rising sentiment amid growing uncertainty
ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment continued to improve in late September, with the Sentiment Index reaching its highest level in six months, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. It should be noted that the interviewing period ended prior to the presidential debate, said U-M economist Richard Curtin, director of the surveys. The gains were… Continue reading Rising sentiment amid growing uncertainty
Consumer sentiment remains low for fifth month
ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment has remained trendless in the same depressed range it has traveled in the past five months, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The August figure posted an insignificant gain of just +0.4 Index points above the April to July average, said U-M economist Richard Curtin, director of the surveys.… Continue reading Consumer sentiment remains low for fifth month