A Gauge of Consumer Confidence Hits Five-Month Low
Confidence among U.S. consumers has sunk to its lowest point since July, according The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index for December. The November figure was a five-year high.
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U.S. Consumer Spending Rose 0.8 Percent in September
Americans increased their spending in September at twice the rate that their income grew, a sign of confidence in the economy. Still, consumers made up the difference by saving less for a third straight month, a troubling trend.
Retailers Report Slower Sales Growth in Sept
Americans slowed down their spending in September as they took a pause after wrapping up their back-to-school buying, according to monthly reports from major retailers released Thursday.
U.S. Consumer Sentiment Gains to Four-Month High in Sept
U.S. consumer sentiment rose to its highest level in four months in September as Americans saw better prospects for the job market and economy, a survey released on Friday showed.
Americans Getting More Worried About Retirement
Three separate surveys released this week show rising levels of anxiety among Americans over when -- or whether -- they'll be able to stop working. And even where confidence is rising, some of it may be misplaced.
Why Some Women Are More Confident About Retirement
A new study of 1,000 Americans ages 50 to 70 finds that women face unique risks in retirement, but some are more confident than others about those challenges. What's their secret? DailyFinance's Laura Rowley talks with the study's author, Dr. Sandra Timmerman, director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute.
The Financial Landscape: Dollar Losing Favor, Economy Losing Steam
The long term isn't looking good for the greenback: Central bank managers don't see it keeping its status as the world's reserve currency. The short term's not looking so hot for the U.S. economy either: Housing prices are down another 4% year over year, and confidence is falling.
Trust in Banks Falls Back to Financial Crisis Lows
Americans' overall trust in the nation's financial system has dropped from 26% to 20%, a level that matches the lows recorded during the heart of the financial crisis in late 2008, according to the latest results from the Chicago Booth/Kellogg School Financial Trust Index.
Bin Laden's Death Lifts Dollar, U.S. Stock Futures
The dollar and U.S. stock futures rose following President Barack Obama's announcement late Sunday night that Osama Bin Laden had been killed. Analysts said the boost to the currency was a signal of greater confidence in the United States and a reduction in national security risks.
Global Confidence: Latin America Is Most Upbeat
Two recent reports suggest that there's great variation in global confidence levels, both in the U.S. and abroad. And the U.S. isn't exactly the home of the confident. Latin America, led by a booming Brazil, leads the world in confidence these days.
Is Yale's Confidence Index Sending a Signal?
Yale regularly publishes four indexes that measure institutional and investor confidence. Its 'Buy-on-Dips Confidence Index' is now showing a large divergence in sentiment. What might that trend be saying about the stock market?
