Why there's a disconnect between consumer spending and consumer confidence

Jun 28, 2023
Tracking how shoppers feel is important — consumer spending makes up a whopping 70% of GDP.
Individual consumer spending had stayed up recently, even when overall consumer confidence has been down.
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People over 55 are more glum about the economy, consumer survey says

May 30, 2023
People in that age group have less time left to earn or save money for retirement and have had more time to accrue debt.
In some ways, how you feel about the economy in your 60s and 70s depends on how things went in earlier decades. 
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Consumers say they're doing fine, but the economy as a whole isn't. Why?

May 23, 2023
It all depends on the questions pollsters ask. "How are you doing?" will elicit a different answer than "How do you feel about inflation?"
According to a survey out this week, almost three-quarters of people feel at least OK about their own personal economies. But other surveys suggest people think differently about the broader economy.
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Dour consumers have cut their spending. Could that help trigger a recession?

Apr 14, 2023
Consumer sentiment's been up and down lately.
There definitely has been a decline in spending on goods like furniture and electronics, says  Bill Adams of Comerica Bank.
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So how are consumers feeling about the economy post-SVB?

Mar 30, 2023
It may be hard to tell from some data out Friday, which is for February. But we may still get a read on whether consumer sentiment is changing.
February consumer spending numbers will show whether January's spending numbers were an anamoly.
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How freaked out are consumers these days?

Mar 17, 2023
Consumer sentiment isn't as gloomy as the failure of Silicon Valley Bank might lead you to expect.
According to a University of Michigan survey, consumer sentiment fell this month. But people seem to be more worried about their grocery bills and dwindling savings than about tremors in the financial system.
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Consumers say they're worried about the economy, but retail sales are strong

Feb 17, 2023
Data released this week shows there’s a disconnect between what people say and what they do.
"Affordable luxuries" — like an afternoon treat from Starbucks — "can actually increase in sales because of the stressful moments that people have in their lives," said Yale's Ravi Dhar.
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For public good, not for profit.

Consumers seem pretty happy with their own finances. But they're worried about the economy.

Feb 10, 2023
Higher interest rates and inflation still spark anxiety. But wages have grown, and some have a greater feeling of financial security.
Despite the burden of inflation, some consumers still feel upbeat about their personal economies.
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Some consumers more upbeat as inflation moderates

Jan 30, 2023
The University of Michigan's sentiment survey rose 9% in January, though it's still near decade-lows.
Consumer sentiment registered an uptick in the University of Michigan's latest survey, but buyers remain wary about the economy as a whole.
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Consumer sentiment inched up in December — from all-time lows

Dec 23, 2022
The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index rose 5% from November, but was still 15% lower than one year ago.
Gas prices falling from their summer peaks have helped lift consumer sentiment — if only slightly.
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