Consumer Sentiment Highest in 3 Months
February 19, 2013
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Led by more cheerful views on current economic conditions, a gauge of consumer sentiment rose to the highest level in three months, exceeding estimates, according to data released Friday.
The University of Michigan-Thomson Reuters consumer-sentiment gauge rose to a preliminary February reading of 76.3 - the highest level since November - from a final January reading of 73.8.
Stocks remained higher after the data.
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February 4, 2013 From MarketWatch
A gauge of consumer sentiment rose in January more than Wall Street had expected, but overall levels remained relatively low with respondents concerned over higher payroll taxes.
The University of Michigan-Thomson Reuters sentiment gauge rose to a January reading of 73.8, up from 72.9 in December. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a final January reading of 71.5, compared with a preliminary reading of 71.3, with higher payroll taxes continuing to weigh on consumers' moods.
"The end of the payroll tax holiday had a significant impact on consumer confidence, especially among lower-income households," said Richard Curtin, the survey's chief economist.
May 25, 2012 From BusinessWeek
Consumer confidence rose in May to the highest level since October 2007 as prices at the gas pump became less of a drag on household budgets. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final index of consumer sentiment climbed to 79.3 from 76.4 the prior month. The gauge was projected to hold at the preliminary reading of 77.8, according to the median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. Cheaper gasoline and an improving housing market may help sustain consumers’ spirits in the face of slower job growth and slumping stock prices. The gain in confidence may signal Americans are more
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