Tag Archives: consumer spending

Slower Q4 Growth, (But) Higher Consumer Confidence

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs The growth in the U.S. economy in the final quarter of Barack Obama’s presidency was left at 1.9 percent, held down by a bigger trade deficit even as consumer spending rebounded strongly. In fact, Q4 GDP growth slowed … Continue reading →

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Retail Sales and Consumer Prices Show Real Life

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Retail sales rose 0.4 percent last month following a much bigger gain in December than originally reported, the government said Wednesday. Economists polled had forecast a 0.2 percent increase. Retail sales are now up more than 5 percent … Continue reading →

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Private Payrolls, Consumer Confidence Signal Strong January

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly ADP is calling for substantial strength in Friday’s employment report, showing yesterday 246,000 for private payrolls, not including government jobs. This is far beyond expectations and would compare with December private payroll growth in the government’s report … Continue reading →

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Q4 GDP Slightly Lower—How About 2017?

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Fourth quarter Gross Domestic Product growth slowed, mostly because of the strong dollar and weak foreign demand. But consumers held up their end with higher consumer sentiments, and businesses also began to invest in new plants and equipment … Continue reading →

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Has Inflation Returned?

Posted on January 23, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Inflation is here! says Econoday, per last week’s CPI report; at 2.1 percent for total consumer prices (columns in graph) and 2.2 percent for the core rate (red line). Two percent is generally considered the target rate for … Continue reading →

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Boom Times In 2017 For Consumers?

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Here are more signs that economic growth will increase in 2017. There’s a large increase in revolving credit, one of the largest of the cycle, reports the Federal Reserve, a sign that retail sales are booming (with … Continue reading →

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Why Are Consumers Happier?

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Why are consumers much happier during these holidays? The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index for November jumped 6.6 points to a six-month high while the Conference Board’s consumer confidence index jumped 6.3 points to 107.1 for its … Continue reading →

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Personal Incomes, Manufacturing Remain Strong

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Personal income rose a solid but slightly lower-than-expected 0.3 percent in September, reports the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The wages & salaries component rose 0.3 percent, another sign of rising incomes. That’s why consumer … Continue reading →

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Holiday Cheers–Consumers Feel Happier!

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly It’s back to school time, and consumers are feeling the holiday spirit already. Americans in September were most optimistic about the economy since the summer of 2007, in part because of a happier view of the U.S. … Continue reading →

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A Half-Full Jobs Report

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Nonfarm payrolls rose a lower-than-expected 151,000 in August with revisions to July and June at a net minus 1,000, reported the Bureau of Labor Statistics. I would call this a half-full employment report in an economy that is … Continue reading →

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