US Sept Consumer Sentiment Stagnates

[Rose Siding]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer sentiment stagnated in early September as doubts about the economy and the job market persisted, a report indicated on Friday.


The University of Michigan's index of consumer confidence moved lower to a preliminary reading of 95.8 from 95.9 in August, according to sources who saw the subscription-only report. Analysts had looked for a rise to 96.5.


U.S. economic growth weakened in the second quarter and forecasters are now trying to determine whether that softness was transitory or marked the start of a longer-term trend.


The answer to that question will determine the pace at which the Federal Reserve (news - web sites) is likely to raise interest rates, with widespread implications for consumers and businesses.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=1203&e=1&u=/nm/20040917/bs_nm/economy_consumers_dc&sid=95609869

[barb162]

1. this so-called "recovery" is a non-recovery

[izzie]

2. These things about the lose of dollar value is getting to me.

What are the big guys saying?

[MisterP]

3. I just love it: it's the "confidence" when it's up, and the

"sentiment" when its down!

[Roland99]

4. Hmmm...and the Right-Wing pundits were calling Aug's big drop a fluke

[legally blonde]

5. BushCo statement:

"We're turning a corner. . ."
Yep, the economy is definitely improving <sarcasm>

[bpilgrim]

6. why would that be?

no JOBS or WORRIED about the few remaining?

fox news says -> LET'm eat CAKE!


peace

[hatrack]

7. Kind of like the way that the CPI & retail sales reports get spun

If prices are up, they quickly subtract the "volatile food & energy sectors" - not that any of us would last too long without food, natural gas, electricity or gasoline - to show that prices really aren't going up THAT much.

Then, when the retail sales reports show disappointing numbers, they immediately subtract the most disappointing sectors - it was car & truck sales during August - to show that sales really aren't going down THAT much.

Feh.

[proud patriot]

8. STAGFLATION

:mad:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

9. Nothing sentimental about it...

While Americans are getting paid less, they're being charged more for everything from basic necessities to luxury items.

Dumbyass is driving the economy to an irreparable state.

[xchrom]

10. i work in marin, in nor cali

very affluent -- and very slow since 9-11.
all this bullshit about how good everything is looking in the tech sector -- well maybe that's what they say with their lips but the wallets are staying closed.
probably sticker shock after paying too much for their houses and running out of the benefit that bush's bribe intended.

[Yavin4]

11. It's The Hurricanes In Florida

Either that or Clinton's penis.

[Deja Q]

12. Offshoring and taxcuts is what is needed! And a larger supply of oil too!

Sigh...