Sentiment soars as consumers expect easing of inflation

ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment soared 14% in December, reversing four consecutive months of declines and reaching its highest reading since July, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. These trends are rooted in sharp improvements in how consumers view the trajectory of inflation, said U-M economist Joanne Hsu, director of the Surveys of Consumers.… Continue reading Sentiment soars as consumers expect easing of inflation

Personal finances improve while economic outlook darkens

ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment fell back a modest 2.5 index points, or 4%, in November, extending what is now a four-month stretch of consecutive declines, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. While consumers’ views of their personal finances improved, their economic outlook deteriorated, due in part to growing concerns about high interest rates,… Continue reading Personal finances improve while economic outlook darkens

Confidence drops amid inflation frustration

ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment fell back about 6% this October after inching down slightly for two consecutive months, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. One-year expected business conditions plunged 16% and expectations over consumers’ own personal finances in the year ahead fell 8%, reflecting ongoing concerns about inflation and, to a lesser degree,… Continue reading Confidence drops amid inflation frustration

Consumers remain tentative as uncertainty looms

Contact: Morgan Sherburne, [email protected]   U-M Surveys of Consumers, 734-763-5224 ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment was little changed in September, inching down a mere 1.4 index points from August, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers.  Sentiment has been essentially flat for the past three months, following two months with leaps in sentiment stemming from the substantial slowdown… Continue reading Consumers remain tentative as uncertainty looms

Consumer sentiment holds as personal finances remain stable

ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment was relatively unchanged in August and ended the month with its second-highest reading in 21 months, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers.   This follows two months of large jumps in sentiment resulting from the substantial slowdown in inflation and ongoing strength in labor markets. Overall, consumers remain supported… Continue reading Consumer sentiment holds as personal finances remain stable

Improving personal finances, business conditions lift consumer sentiment

ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment lifted 11% in June, reaching its highest level since October 2021, a sign of greater optimism as inflation continued to ease and stock market performance strengthened.  Sentiment is now about halfway between the all-time historic low of 50 from June 2022 and the February 2020 pre-pandemic reading of 101, a reflection of… Continue reading Improving personal finances, business conditions lift consumer sentiment

Sentiment rises with debt ceiling resolution and slowing inflation

ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment lifted 9% in June, reaching its highest level in four months, a sign of greater optimism as inflation eased and policymakers resolved the debt ceiling crisis. The upswing was observed for all demographic groups; the consensus view among consumers is that macroeconomic prospects improved this month, according U-M economist Joanne Hsu, director… Continue reading Sentiment rises with debt ceiling resolution and slowing inflation

Sentiment tumbles amid debt ceiling crisis

Contact: Morgan Sherburne, [email protected]; U-M Surveys of Consumers, 734-763-5224 ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment slipped 7% due to renewed concerns about the trajectory of the economy, erasing nearly half of the gains achieved since the all-time historic low from last June. Consumers’ worries about the outlook of the economy in both the short and long run worsened… Continue reading Sentiment tumbles amid debt ceiling crisis

Weakening outlook due to high prices, not banking turbulence

Contact: Morgan Sherburne, [email protected] U-M Surveys of Consumers, 734-763-5224 ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment fell for the first time in four months in the wake of a 13% decline in consumers’ outlook over the economy for the year ahead, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. Declines in sentiment were visible across age, education and… Continue reading Weakening outlook due to high prices, not banking turbulence

Consumer sentiment: Positive business outlook outweighs unemployment concerns

Contact: Bernie DeGroat, 734-647-1847, [email protected] U-M Surveys of Consumers, 734-763-5224 ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment lifted for the third straight month in February, rising a modest 3% above January, supported by a 12% improvement in consumers’ outlook over the economy for the year ahead, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. However, sentiment remains well… Continue reading Consumer sentiment: Positive business outlook outweighs unemployment concerns