Tag Archives: consumer credit
Consumer Sentiment, Leading Indicators Signal Higher Growth
Popular Economics Weekly Both the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment survey and Conference Board’s Index of Leading Indicators rose in May, signaling that employment and growth may be stronger than forecast by most economists. How can that be with 7.5 … Continue reading
Consumer Debt Falls to Pre-Recession Level
Financial FAQs The total amount of debt held by Americans fell again in the first three months of 2013 and stood at the lowest level since the middle of 2006, the New York Federal Reserve said Tuesday. The level of … Continue reading
Expanding Service Sector Will Boost Growth
Financial FAQs Why are stock indexes breaking records? Part of it is because of record corporate profits (which affects price-to-earnings ratios), up 20 annually since the end of 2008, as well as good job news that is boosting investor optimism. … Continue reading
Unemployment Rate Falls to 7.7 Percent
Popular Economics Weekly Economists are rubbing their eyes over the November jobs report. It seems stimulus spending works. Obama’s $830 Billion ARRA stimulus + the Federal Reserve’s QE efforts to hold down interest rates has now created almost 6 million … Continue reading
It’s the Consumers Turn
Popular Economics Weekly We know that consumers will continue to push economic growth this fall and winter for several reasons. Firstly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly JOLTS report showed 3.6 million job openings (yellow line), and more than 4 … Continue reading
Consumers In Holiday Mood
Popular Economics Weekly Consumers are going to celebrate the holidays in a much bigger way than in recent years. Not only have consumer confidence and expectations been rising since summer, but consumer borrowing is exploding, signaling that we will see … Continue reading
Increased Consumer Spending a Good Sign
Financial FAQs The most recent retail sales show consumers are able to spend more, even as they borrow more. Add to that credit card delinquencies are at an 18-year low, according to credit reporting company Transunion Corp., and we have … Continue reading
Consumer Spending Continues to Improve
FINANCIAL FAQs The most recent retail sales show consumers continue to spend, as consumer borrowing is increasing. Add to that credit card delinquencies are at an 18-year low, according to credit reporting company Transunion Corp., and we have a picture … Continue reading
Consumers Becoming Healthier—Part II
Financial FAQs Consumers seem to be doing better, as I said last week, in spite of their worries about jobs, the economy and budget deficits (their own more than governments’). Consumer credit jumped $17.1 billion in May for the largest … Continue reading
Consumers Feel Better
Popular Economics Weekly Black Friday, or the day after Thanksgiving, was an eye-opener. Sales jumped 7 percent, a record, and Monday’s cyber-sales followed its lead. How can consumers be spending so much with incomes that aren’t rising as much? One … Continue reading
