Americans' Outlook for Economy Holds Close to a 13-Month Low
Source: Bloomberg
One in five Americans in November said the economy is improving, matching the smallest share in two years and keeping a monthly gauge of expectations close to a 13-month low.
The measure tracking the economic outlook was little changed at 42.5 last month after October reading of 42, which was the lowest since September 2014, data from the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed Thursday. While 20 percent of respondents said the economy was getting better, 45 percent viewed it as staying the same, the largest share since February 2012.
Bloomberg’s weekly gauge of consumer sentiment was also little changed -- 41.2 in the period ended Nov. 15 compared with 41.6 the prior week. A measure of confidence among full-time workers was the weakest in about a year, which is at odds with the latest payrolls report that showed employers in October added the most jobs this year.
"Consumer views have lacked consistent direction this year,” said Gary Langer, president of the New York-based Langer Research Associates LLC, which compiles the survey for Bloomberg. Even as some economic data have shown improvement, the limited number of people voluntarily quitting their jobs suggests ”workers lack confidence in the strength of the labor market.”
Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-19/americans-outlook-for-economy-holds-close-to-a-13-month-low
