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Content about Consumer Confidence Index

May 6, 2013
The Numbers: Consumer Confidence Rises on Signs of Growing Employment

CHICAGO — Consumers respond positively to better employment numbers, increasing home prices

CHICAGO — CONSUMER CONFIDENCE continues to grow, according to the latest Surveys of Consumers by Thomson Reuters and the University of Michigan. In the March survey, economists report higher confidence amid signs of growing employment, and increasing home prices also had consumers giving a thumbs up to the future.

“Although confidence dipped in early March, since the middle of the month consumers have expressed improved prospects for economic growth,” says Richard Curtin, Surveys of Consumers chief economist. “Two factors were responsible for the gains: Consumers discounted the administration’s warning about economic catastrophe following the cuts in federal spending, and consumers have renewed their expectations that job gains will accelerate in the months ahead.”

Curtin also says that while optimism like this has been seen before, recent gains look to be sustainable, with a lower unemployment rate and increases in consumer spending on the way.

February 21, 2013
The Numbers: Modest Economic Growth Reported While Unemployment Rate Holds Steady

CHICAGO — Consumer spending was up, with 2012 holiday sales somewhat higher than in 2011: Beige Book

CHICAGO — MANY EXPERTS, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, report economic growth in recent months, albeit at a modest pace.

The 12 Federal Reserve Districts, in their January report, showed expanded activity since the previous Beige Book, with all 12 showing modest or moderate growth. Consumer spending was up, with 2012 holiday sales somewhat higher than in 2011. Ten districts reported steady or stronger automobile sales, and tourism activity was up across much of the nation. Transportation services in six of the districts showed increases, while manufacturing reports were mixed (six districts reported an increase and three reported a decrease). And real estate activity (for sales and rentals of existing homes) held steady or increased slightly in 11 districts.

THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF SHOPPING CENTERS reported an increase of 3.6% in the net operating income of U.S. shopping centers for 2012. The figure is 2.3% higher than 2011, and expenses were reported to be down by 0.1%.

September 22, 2011
The Numbers: Jobs, Mortgages, and Consumer Confidence

CHICAGO — Early September brought a new proposal—the Americans Jobs Act—from President Barack Obama, which includes incentives for small-business owners to aid in cutting taxes and adding employees.

The proposal cuts employer payroll taxes in half, offers a series of tax credits for companies that hire workers who have been unemployed for longer than six months, establishes an “infrastructure bank” to offer loans for private-sector projects, funds a variety of transportation projects, intends to modernize schools and vacant properties, extends unemployment benefits and subsidizes jobs training programs, pumps money into communities for teachers and first responders, and sets up a summer jobs program for teens.

The bipartisan super committee in Congress—tasked with finding ways to reduce the nation’s debt by December—was due to hear the president’s proposals on cutting debt later in the month.

May 4, 2010
Confidence Improving Among Small-Business Owners, Survey Says

HOUSTON — Confidence is improving among small-business owners, according to a recent survey from human-resources firm Administaff, but almost three-quarters (71%) continue to name the economy as their top short-term concern.

More than 39% of small-business owners expect an economic turnaround in 2010, says the firm's quarterly Business Confidence Survey, while 44% think a rebound will occur in 2011. About 17% were unsure.

February 16, 2010
Small-Business Confidence Rises for the First Time in Three Months

WASHINGTON — Small-business confidence in the United States rose in January for the first time in three months, according to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) optimism index. The index climbed to 89.3 — the highest it’s been in 16 months — from 88 in December.

July 28, 2009
Small-Business Confidence Rises Despite Cash-Flow Concerns, Survey Says

RIVERWOODS, Ill. — Economic confidence among small-business owners has grown for the second consecutive month in July, despite growing concerns about being able to pay bills, according to the latest Discover Small Business Watch. The index rose to 82.1, up from 80.9 in June.