ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment was essentially unchanged this month, slipping a scant 1.5 index points from September, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. A modest increase in sentiment among younger consumers was offset by decreases among middle-aged and older consumers. Current personal finances inched up, while expected personal finances receded, said U-M economist… Continue reading High prices remain key concern; sentiment holds steady

Joanne Hsu, writing for The Conversation, says the latest Surveys of Consumers data show almost no change between September and October: “Consumers are not feeling that optimistic at the moment, but generally no worse than they were last month.”

Because of the government shutdown, there is no federal jobs report, but there are still estimates of a declining labor market. Joanne Hsu said Americans have become increasingly worried about the outlook for their incomes and personal finances, adding consumers feel “pressure from both the prospect of higher inflation as well as the risk of… Continue reading Shutdown Creates Jobs Data Blackout—But Wall Street Says Employment Numbers Are Grim

ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment fell about 5% from last month but remains above the low readings seen in April and May of this year, confirming its early-month reading.  Although September’s decline was relatively modest, it was seen across a broad swath of the population, groups by age, income and education, said economist Joanne Hsu, director of… Continue reading Consumer sentiment declines amid concerns about inflation, unemployment

ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment fell back about 6% in August, declining for the first time in four months.  It is now about 20% below December 2024, when sentiment had exhibited a post-election bump, but remains above the trough in sentiment seen in April. This month’s decline was visible across groups by age, income and stock wealth,… Continue reading Consumer sentiment falls amid growing inflation worries

ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment improved for the second time in six months, inching up less than 2% from last month, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers.  It remains about 17% below December 2024, when sentiment had exhibited a post-election bump. Current conditions rose about 5% to its highest reading since February 2025, while… Continue reading Sentiment inches up, consumers remain downbeat

ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment improved for the first time in six months, climbing 16% from last month but remaining about 18% below December 2024, when sentiment had exhibited a post-election bump.  These trends were unanimously visible across age, income, wealth, political party and geographic region. Improvements in June were seen across multiple dimensions of the economy,… Continue reading Sentiment up for the first time this year, consumers remain guarded