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Surge in Expectations Drives Gain in U.S. Consumer Sentiment

U.S. consumer sentiment climbed in August to a seven-month high.

Surge in Expectations Drives Gain in U.S. Consumer Sentiment
A shopper carries a Nordstrom Inc. bag while crossing a street in downtown Chicago (Photographer: Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg)

(Bloomberg) -- Consumer sentiment climbed in August to a seven-month high as a measure of the outlook for the U.S. economy and personal finances registered the largest one-month advance since the end of 2011, according to University of Michigan survey data released Friday.

Highlights of Michigan Sentiment (August, preliminary)

  • Sentiment index rose to 97.6 (est. 94) from 93.4 in July
  • Expectations measure jumped to 89 from 80.5 the prior month
  • 8.5 point increase in consumer expectations biggest since December 2011
  • Current conditions gauge, which measures Americans’ perceptions of their finances, fell to 111 from 113.4

Key Takeaways

Half of all consumers in each of the last three Michigan surveys reported that their finances had recently improved, the best reading since 2000, the report showed. Americans were also upbeat about their financial prospects in the year ahead.

Stronger household views about their financial well-being probably shows consumer spending will continue to expand and power the economy. A robust labor market remains a primary driver behind the improving attitudes about the economy. A favorable outlook for the economy was anticipated by 55 percent of all respondents, the highest share in two years. The caveat is that most Republican households expected gains, while most Democrats forecast declines.

The report showed an interesting change in how people are approaching their spending decisions. Confidence in the job market and incomes are playing a greater role, rather than low prices and borrowing costs.

Consumer sentiment has recovered following a two-month slide as President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda ran into several roadblocks. The partisan divide on economic outcomes has continued to increase as a series of foreign and domestic policy difficulties has refocused attention from plans for infrastructure spending and tax reform.

Surge in Expectations Drives Gain in U.S. Consumer Sentiment

Official’s View

“The precautionary mood of consumers had required price discounts and low interest rates to offset their economic uncertainties, now consumers are more likely to base their spending decisions on a renewed confidence in their jobs and incomes,” Richard Curtin, director of the University of Michigan consumer survey, said in a statement. “To be sure, attractive prices and interest rates are still required, but the basic motivation has begun to shift toward a more confident buyer.”

Other Details

  • Consumers saw inflation rate in the next year at 2.6 percent, the same as in the prior three months
  • Inflation rate over next five to 10 years seen at 2.5 percent after 2.6 percent in July
  • Gauge of economic outlook over next year rose to 123, highest since June 2015, from 111

--With assistance from Kristy Scheuble

To contact the reporter on this story: Daniel Flatley in Washington at dflatley1@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Scott Lanman at slanman@bloomberg.net, Vince Golle, Brendan Murray