Contact: Bernie DeGroat, 734-647-1847, [email protected] Surveys of Consumers, 734-763-5224 ANN ARBOR—Consumers voiced much more positive views in April, rising 9.8% above March, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. Most of the surge was concentrated in expectations, with gains of 21.6% in the year-ahead outlook for the economy and an 18.3% jump in… Continue reading Rising wages drives both optimism, pessimism on inflation
News Tag: Surveys of Consumers
Inflation: Top consumer issue, top policy challenge
ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment declined in March due to falling inflation-adjusted incomes, which was recently accelerated by rising fuel prices, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The year-ahead expected inflation rate rose to its highest level since 1981 and expected gas prices posted their largest monthly upward surge in decades. Personal finances were… Continue reading Inflation: Top consumer issue, top policy challenge
Consumer sentiment sinks, challenges rise
ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment fell in February to its lowest level in the past decade, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. Importantly, the loss was still entirely due to a 12.9% decline among households with incomes of $100,000 or more, a group that has a significant impact on consumer spending, said U-M economist… Continue reading Consumer sentiment sinks, challenges rise
Consumer sentiment sinks to decade low
ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment fell throughout January, posting a cumulative loss of 4.8%, sinking to its lowest level since November 2011, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The Delta and Omicron variants were largely responsible, but other factors, some of which were initially triggered by COVID-19, have become independent forces shaping sentiment, said… Continue reading Consumer sentiment sinks to decade low
Consumer confidence: Omicron plays holiday Grinch
ANN ARBOR—Although consumers were slightly more optimistic about economic conditions in the December survey, nearly all the data were collected prior to the rapid spread of Omicron in the U.S., according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. While it is likely that confidence will decline in the month ahead, it is simply too… Continue reading Consumer confidence: Omicron plays holiday Grinch
Inflation advice to consumers: ‘Just grin and bear it’
ANN ARBOR—Consumers expressed less optimism than any other time in the past decade, including more negative prospects for their own finances as well as for the overall economy, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The decline was due to rapidly escalating inflation combined with the absence of federal policies that would effectively… Continue reading Inflation advice to consumers: ‘Just grin and bear it’
Inflation uncertainty highest in four decades
ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment has remained virtually unchanged in the past three months, at levels comparable to the pandemic low point in April 2020, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The positive impact of higher income expectations and the receding coronavirus has been offset by higher rates of inflation and falling confidence in… Continue reading Inflation uncertainty highest in four decades
Inflation raises uncertainty about future living standards
ANN ARBOR — Although consumer sentiment edged upward in September, the overall gain still meant the continuation of depressed optimism, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The relapse in consumer confidence was initially sparked by the Delta variant and supported by an upsurge in inflation and unfavorable long-term prospects for the economy,… Continue reading Inflation raises uncertainty about future living standards
Plunge in confidence due to economics, emotions
ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment fell in August by 13.4% from July, recording the least favorable economic prospects in more than a decade, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The Sentiment Index has only recorded larger losses in six other monthly surveys since 1978, with the largest losses in how consumers viewed future economic… Continue reading Plunge in confidence due to economics, emotions
Slowdown in economy anticipated amid rising COVID risks
ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment fell in July, posting a monthly decline of 5.0% from June, falling to the lowest level since February, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. Nearly the entire July decline was among households with incomes above $100,000 (-8.1%), while sentiment among households with incomes below $100,000 posted only a modest… Continue reading Slowdown in economy anticipated amid rising COVID risks