consumer expectations

Americans Feel Worse About Today, Slightly Better About Tomorrow

Key Takeaways * Current conditions fell sharply. Michigan’s current-conditions index dropped 6.2 points to 44.7, a decline that large has occurred roughly once every fifteen months since 1978. * The outlook improved slightly. Expectations rose from 46.3 to 47.3, as consumers grew a bit more optimistic

household finance

Optimism or pressure? What the data says about why households are saving less.

The personal saving rate has fallen to 2.6%. The Treasury Secretary calls it optimism. Forty years of data say it's something else.