U.S. Consumer Comfort Nears 17-Year High as Economic View Gains
U.S. Consumer Comfort Nears 17-Year High as Economic View Gains
(Bloomberg) -- Americans’ sentiment approached a 17-year high last week on increasingly upbeat views of the economy and personal finances, the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed Thursday.
Highlights of Consumer Comfort (Week Ended July 1) |
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Key Takeaways
Americans’ views of the economy have been bolstered by an unemployment rate matching the lowest since 1969 and tax cuts that have fattened wallets, along with fuel prices that have cooled from a three-year high in May. Sentiment was divided along income lines; among respondents earning more than $100,000, the index was the highest in data back to 2004, while it fell to a three-month low for those with incomes below $15,000.
Meanwhile, another survey of consumer confidence from the University of Michigan has indicated that concerns over trade policy are weighing on expectations for the economy, even as Americans remain happy with current conditions and their finances.
Other Details
- Sentiment advanced in Northeast, Midwest and South; fell in West
- Index rose among Republicans and independents, fell for Democrats
- Comfort among married respondents rose to highest since November 2000
To contact the reporter on this story: Scott Lanman in Washington at slanman@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Scott Lanman at slanman@bloomberg.net, Jeff Kearns, Vince Golle
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