Consumer Sentiment in U.S. Rises to Highest in 14 Months

[Purveyor]

Source: Bloomberg

By Victoria Stilwell Sep 12, 2014 10:33 AM ET

American consumer confidence rose to the highest level in more than a year in September, as households’ views on the outlook for the economy brightened.

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary consumer sentiment index rose to 84.6, the highest reading since July 2013, from 82.5 the month before. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of 65 economists projected an increase to 83.3.

Continued progress in the labor market, gains in stock portfolios and a decline in gasoline prices have buoyed household confidence in recent months. Improving outlooks may mean Americans feel more comfortable about boosting their spending, which accounts for 70 percent of the economy.

“Consumer sentiment is beginning to increase, and that is a reflection of the improving employment situation, and lower gas prices are a plus as well,” said Michelle Girard, chief U.S. economist at RBS Securities Inc. in Stamford, Connecticut. “We’re more upbeat about the consumer than we have been because the pieces finally do seem to be falling together.”

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-12/consumer-sentiment-index-in-u-s-rises-to-84-6-in-september.html

[malthaussen]

1. Gee, and to think on 31 July it had bottomed out...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025316939

Somehow, I don't have much confidence that these numbers provide any useful information.

-- Mal

[Purveyor]

5. That is the Bloomberg measurement which I put little faith in and never put

in LBN. I posted this bloomberg index just yesterday: Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025519384

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan survey has been around for decades and well respected.

[Alkene]

2. So, when I ask, would you like fries with that,

they might actually decide they do and spend a little more?

[pscot]

3. The average American consumer

is an idiot. Myself included.

[candelista]

4. Statistical noise. nt

[MADem]

6. It's Obama's fault!!!!! nt

[marions ghost]

7. Show me that confident consumer

...I want to meet him/her. All I see around me is consumer fear and job insecurity...still.

It's fabulous for those at the top, but nothing has changed to alter income inequality.

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The article also has this video attached:

How can shopping malls entice consumers back:

http://www.bloomberg.com/video/how-can-shopping-malls-entice-consumers-back-zfMmRjJvQXuAp9P6_OX_0w.html

[Dont call me Shirley]

8. For whom? The upper class?

[Earth_First]

9. Just in time...

Gotta get them ramped up for the holidays!