Consumer Sentiment Hits Year Low In January
Source: Reuters
NEW YORK | Fri Jan 18, 2013 9:58am EST
(Reuters) - U.S. consumer sentiment deteriorated for a second straight month to hit its lowest in over a year in January, with a record number of consumers citing the recent "fiscal cliff" debate in Washington, a survey released on Friday showed.
The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's preliminary reading on the overall index on consumer sentiment came in at 71.3, down from 72.9 the month before. The index was at its lowest since December 2011.
It was also below the median forecast of 75 among economists polled by Reuters.
"The most unique aspect of the early January data was that an all-time record number of consumers - 35 percent - negatively referred to the fiscal cliff negotiations," survey director Richard Curtin said in a statement.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/18/us-usa-economy-sentiment-idUSBRE90H0SW20130118
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)What the hell is "Consumer Sentiment"?
Consumer.... "a person who purchases goods or services for personal use."
Sentiment.... Well there are several definitions. Personally I like: "exaggerated and self-indulgent feelings of tenderness, sadness or nostalgia."
but I think "a view or attitude toward a situation of event...." is more what they have in mind.
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)sentiment' for decades.
Skittles
(152,963 posts)when people realize how much they spent in December
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)US Consumer Sentiment Strongest Since May
By Shannon Bond in New York
US consumers were more optimistic at the beginning of the year as the outlook for the labour market improved.
Consumer sentiment rose for a fifth straight month to 74 from 69.9 in December, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan index. That was the highest level since May and higher than the 71.5 reading economists had expected. The survey is still well below the average reading of 89 in the half-decade before the recession that began in late 2007, however.
More frequent mentions of rising employment lessened income uncertainty and prompted more favourable buying attitudes as well, Richard Curtin, survey director, said. The data suggest a stronger consumer spending outlook, rising to about a 2.1 per cent gain in 2012.
Consumers willingness to open their wallets firmed in the final months of last year, with consumer credit surging by $20.4bn in November, the biggest rise in a decade. Stronger than expected job creation in December suggested economic growth is picking up, and sentiment will probably be boosted by the continued fall in the unemployment rate.
MORE...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101424752
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)Of course this was pre-election and not surprising being pumped out by the WSJ.
Skittles
(152,963 posts)Purveyor
(29,876 posts)consideration.
The OP was about the UofM sentiments and indeed you were wrong with your assertion, according to UofM, that that consumer confidence 'always' goes down in January.
In your books perhaps, but not with the OP source.