Both consumers and investors are less confident about the economy than they were a year ago when the Lehman Brothers financial firm collapsed and Wall Street's woes became front-page news.
Economic confidence among small business owners jumped to its highest level in 18 months in August as more owners expressed faith that the U.S. economy is on the rise and gave signs that they are more willing to invest in advertising and new inventory, according to the latest Discover (R) Small Business Watch (SM). The index rose to 89.8, up 7.7 points from July and the highest level since 90.9 in February 2008.
The Discover U.S. Spending Monitor reached an all-time low in February, falling more than two points to 75.7 (based out of 100). The decline reflects record-low readings for the Monitor's two main components: economic confidence and spending intentions.
Over the past year, overall levels of consumer confidence have bounced around a lot but ended up with little change. For the full month June 2008, the Rasmussen Consumer Index was at 71.9. In June, 2009, that number was 72:0.
Economic confidence among small business owners rose slightly in June as cash flow concerns abated and the mood on the economy held steady, according to the latest Discover(R) Small Business WatchSM. The monthly index rose to 80.9, up from 78.1 in May.
The Rasmussen Employment Index, a monthly measure of U.S. worker confidence in the employment market, rose for the third straight month in May.
As if their business worries weren’t enough, small business owners are now getting even less time off, thanks to the country’s continuing economic problems.
A majority of parents (61 percent) are not letting the recession change their plans for their children's college education, according to a survey by COUNTRY Financial. Further, 47 percent say college plans are a higher priority than retirement savings (41 percent).
Economic confidence among small business owners saw its largest jump in confidence in nine months as fewer owners see the economy getting worse and more believe conditions are improving for their own operations, according to the latest Discover® Small Business WatchSM. The monthly index increased more than six points, rising to 78.2 in March from 71.9 in February.
The recession has forced nearly two in five (39 percent) Americans to save less for their golden years, but it hasn't changed their perception about whether middle income families can save for retirement.
The Discover U.S. Spending Monitor reached an all-time low in February, falling more than two points to 75.7 (based out of 100). The decline reflects record-low readings for the Monitor's two main components: economic confidence and spending intentions.
The Rasmussen Employment Index, a monthly measure of U.S. worker confidence in the employment market, fell for the fifth straight month in February.
The level of confidence Americans have about their own financial security can't find bottom under the weight of a struggling economy.
The Discover U.S. Spending Monitor rose 1.2 points in January, mainly due to a slight increase in economic confidence from consumers. The rise in optimism was largely offset by continued restraint on spending intentions, as consumers, buffeted by dismal housing, labor and financial news continue to keep a tight hold on their purse strings.
The Rasmussen Employment Index, a monthly measure of U.S. worker confidence in the employment market, fell six more points in January to 61.1. That’s the fourth straight month that the Index has fallen to a record low. Since September, workplace confidence has fallen 27 points.
The Discover U.S. Spending Monitor fell for the fourth consecutive month in December, declining more than three points to a new low of 76.6 (based out of 100). Both components of the monthly spending index - consumer confidence in the U.S. economy and consumer spending intent - reached new lows during the month, as concerns about the economy may be weighing on post-holiday spending plans.
The Rasmussen Employment Index, a monthly measure of U.S. worker confidence in the employment market, fell to a record low for the third month in a row.
Full monthly results for the Rasmussen Consumer Index in December shows that the economic confidence of American consumers has fallen to another all-time low at 59.6.
The Discover U.S. Spending Monitor slipped to 79.7 in November, falling below 80 for the first time in its history, as consumer economic sentiment fell to a record low and concern over personal finances reached record highs. Heading into the holiday season, consumers temporarily reversed course on spending from previous months, with an increasing number planning on spending more in December.
As the nation’s economic woes mount, one-fourth of all American workers (24%) are worried about losing their job in the near future. That figure includes 37% of manufacturing workers and 31% of IT workers.
