Richard Curtin
Richard Curtin
additional blanket cold declines gas hopes increases prices recent thrown
The recent increases in gas prices have thrown a cold blanket on consumers' hopes for additional declines in gas prices.
additional anticipate consumers current declines due finances financial gains gas judged likely year
Consumers judged their current finances much more favorably due to declines in gas prices, and were more likely to anticipate additional financial gains during the year ahead.
confidence declines gas last levels nearly prices prior recorded restored spike
Declines in gas prices were responsible for the substantial gain, which nearly restored confidence to the levels recorded prior to the spike in gas prices last August.
certainly consumers decline market mentioned noticed people prices quarter stakes stock top
That certainly is part of the issue. People have stakes (in the stock market) have noticed these things. If you get to the top quarter or the top 10 percent, then these consumers have mentioned decline in stock market prices much more often.
comparable confidence consumer declined extent last prior recessions time
The last time consumer confidence declined a comparable extent was prior to the recessions in 1990 and 1980.
confidence consumer decline economic fears linked loss personal represent security threat unlike usual
The loss in people's sense of personal security was linked to the decline in consumer confidence. Unlike other assessments of economic risks, these fears represent a significant threat to the usual functioning of the economy.
among consumer consumers due fears future global growth job living mounting pose sharp sudden swing threat weak
The sharp and sudden swing in consumer expectations was due to mounting fears among consumers that weak job growth and global job outsourcing may pose a threat to their future living standards.
coast due economic economy economy-and-economics expect expected following gas growth gulf improved increases interest lows mainly optimistic overall pace prospects recorded slower strong
Prospects for the economy have improved substantially from the lows recorded following the Gulf Coast hurricanes and the surge in gas prices. Firms still expect a slower overall pace of economic growth during 2006 than in 2005. The expected growth slowdown is mainly due to anticipated increases in interest rates. Firms are much more optimistic about their own prospects in 2006, as they expected strong growth in revenues and profits.
consumers fewer housing interest last positive prices rates since time views
We have fewer consumers who have positive views of housing prices of any time since 1982 and fewer consumers who have positive views of interest rates of any time since the last recession.
anticipate continued economy economy-and-economics gains overall reported year
TEC firms reported that substantial gains in the overall economy have already occurred. They anticipate continued gains during the year ahead.
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Consumers view high gas prices as a threat to their living standards and a threat to the ability of the economy to create new jobs.
happy people price relative stories today
One of the big stories today is that people are so happy with $2 gas. There is nothing better than a relative price decrease.
consumer months spending
Consumer spending will weaken in the months ahead.
bills both consumers cope difficult found gasoline higher home months winter
Consumers have found it especially difficult to cope during the winter months with both higher home heating bills as well as higher gasoline costs.