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Consumer Confidence

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Consumer Confidence Falls To 2022 Lows Amid Tariff Worries, Affordability Crisis: Survey Consumer Confidence Falls To 2022 Lows Amid Tariff Worries, Affordability Crisis: Survey
Consumer Confidence Falls To 2022 Lows Amid Tariff Worries, Affordability Crisis: Survey Consumer confidence plunged in March, hitting its lowest level since 2022 as lingering inflation, a slowing job market, and economic uncertainty weigh on Americans. The preliminary consumer sentiment index dropped to 57.9 in March, down 10.5 percent from February, a survey from the University of Michigan said on Friday, Mar. 14. It marks the lowest reading since November 2022 and 27.1 percent lower than March 2024. The decline marks the third consecutive month of falling confidence, with all age groups, income levels, and political backgrounds reporting a more negative outlook. "…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Target Faces 40-Day Boycott Over Diversity Rollbacks As Retailer's Sales, Stock Slump Target Faces 40-Day Boycott Over Diversity Rollbacks As Retailer's Sales, Stock Slump
Target Faces 40-Day Boycott Over Diversity Rollbacks As Retailer's Sales, Stock Slump Some Christians in the US are giving up something different for Lent: shopping at Target. A faith-based boycott of Target began on Wednesday, Mar. 5, which is also the first day of Lent. The "Target Fast" opposes the retail giant's rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the wake of President Donald Trump's return to office. Atlanta pastor Dr. Jamal Bryant organized the boycott, calling for Black consumers especially to wield their economic power. "Black people spend on average $12 million a day in Target, so with that large of a consumption pie, we…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Private Job Growth Hits Lowest Point In Months As Trump's Trade Wars Shake Economy Private Job Growth Hits Lowest Point In Months As Trump's Trade Wars Shake Economy
Private Job Growth Hits Lowest Point In Months As Trump's Trade Wars Shake Economy Job growth in the private sector slowed to its weakest pace in seven months, as hiring lags amid economic uncertainty and rising trade tensions, according to new data. Private employers added just 77,000 jobs in February, the ADP said in its National Employment Report released on Wednesday, Mar. 5. That number marks the smallest job growth since July 2024 and was down sharply from January's revised total of 186,000. February's data is the latest in a wave of troubling economic indicators during the first two months of President Donald Trump's return to office. "Policy uncertainty…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Price Hikes Likely At Best Buy, Target As Trade Wars Escalate, CEOs Say Price Hikes Likely At Best Buy, Target As Trade Wars Escalate, CEOs Say
Price Hikes Likely At Best Buy, Target As Trade Wars Escalate, CEOs Say Shoppers at Best Buy and Target should prepare for higher prices as new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China disrupt supply chains, according to the companies' CEOs. The heads of the retail giants sent out warnings about likely price hikes for everything from fresh produce to expensive electronics. On Tuesday, Mar. 4, President Donald Trump officially enacted 25 percent tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, along with raising tariffs on Chinese imports to 20 percent. Best Buy CEO Corie Barry said the chain heavily relies on China and Mexico as its top two…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Jobless Claims Hit Four-Month High, Adding To Inflation And Recession Fears Jobless Claims Hit Four-Month High, Adding To Inflation And Recession Fears
Jobless Claims Hit Four-Month High, Adding To Inflation And Recession Fears Unemployment claims have surged to their highest level since October 2024, adding to growing concerns over job security and the broader economy. Initial jobless claims jumped by 22,000 to 242,000 for the week ending on Saturday, Feb. 22, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said in data released on Thursday, Feb. 27. The previous week's total was revised up slightly to 220,000. The rise in claims comes as consumer confidence took its steepest monthly dive since August 2021 amid concerns over inflation, tariffs, and the labor market. The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index fell …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Recession Fears Rise As Consumer Confidence Sees Steepest Drop Since 2021 Recession Fears Rise As Consumer Confidence Sees Steepest Drop Since 2021
Recession Fears Rise As Consumer Confidence Sees Steepest Drop Since 2021 Consumer confidence took its biggest dive in more than three years, adding to growing concerns over inflation, job security, and the broader economy — as Americans grapple with high prices and uncertain financial conditions. The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index fell 7.0 points in February to 98.3, the nonprofit business research group said on Tuesday, Feb, 25. That marks the metric's steepest monthly decline since August 2021. The Expectations Index also dropped 9.3 points to 72.9. That number gauges consumers' outlook on jobs, income, and business conditions. Fo…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
And We're Off: First-Ever $1 Trillion Holiday Shopping Season Expected And We're Off: First-Ever $1 Trillion Holiday Shopping Season Expected
And We're Off: First-Ever $1 Trillion Holiday Shopping Season Expected Black Friday is here and this holiday shopping season is expected to be one for the books. The spending forecast is above $1 trillion for the first time, with e-commerce sales comprising an estimated $123.7 billion, according to eMarketer. There are a number of ‘macroeconomic indicators’ that hint at this spike in shopping season sales; a positive labor market, increased consumer confidence, and overall GDP growth and lower unemployment. If estimates are correct, the total increase in spending will be 5.8% higher than last year’s sales and spending numbers.

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by Valerie Musson