|
2008 Economic Calendar |
|
POWERED BY
|
|
|
Resource Center » U.S. & Intl Recaps | Release Dates | Why Investors Care | Today's Calendar
|
|
The University of Michigan's Consumer Survey Center questions 500 households each month on their financial conditions and attitudes about the economy. Consumer sentiment is directly related to the strength of consumer spending. Consumer confidence and consumer sentiment are two ways of talking about consumer attitudes. Among economic reports, consumer sentiment refers to the Michigan survey while consumer confidence refers to The Conference Board's survey. Why Investors Care
| Released on 5/26/06 For May 2006 | ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Highlights
The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index came in right at expectations, at a very soft 79.1 but showing no further deterioration following the mid-month reading of 79.0. The mid-month reading was a shocker, reflecting the impact of high gas prices and comparing with 87.4 in April to rank among the worse declines ever. A small positive in the May readings is a declining spread between current conditions, at 96.1, vs. expectations, at 68.2. The spread had been a bit wider in prior readings, suggesting that gas prices are taking less of a toll on consumers' outlook. Treasuries eased and the dollar firmed in immediate reaction to the data.
At the mid-May reading, the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index dropped to 79 from a level of 87.4 in April. While labor market conditions remain healthy, consumers are surely feeling the pinch of higher gasoline prices.
Consumer sentiment Consensus Forecast for May 06: 79.0
Range: 77 to 82
![[Chart]](chart.gif)
|
Consumer sentiment is mainly affected by inflation and employment conditions. However, consumers are also impacted by current events such as bear & bull markets, geopolitical events such as war and terrorist attacks. Investors monitor consumer sentiment because it tends to have an impact on consumer spending over the long run (although not necessarily on a monthly basis.) |
| 2006 Release Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
powered by
![[Econoday]](../../../../../../../../../images/logo.gif){kind=logo}