on consumer spending by: product, socio-economic class, ethnicity
and race.
- Other Articles
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Recession Tightens for All but the Very Rich
The Consumer Balance Index (CBI) declines six points from 82 in June to 76 in July, extending the prior month’s three-point loss from 85 in May to 82 in June.
Recession Tightens in June after Easing for Three Consecutive Months
President Obama and Chairman Bernanke were well advised to salt their optimism about the economy with warnings of bumps to come. In June, the economy hit a bump. Consumers – including the roughly half invested in the stock market – have lost sight of which way is up. They flap between optimism and pessimism in response to the news of the hour.
Economy Improves and Is Increasingly Resilient
Between March and April, the Consumer Balance Index (CBI) ticks up from 77 in March to 78 in April 2009, to stand five points above the October 2009 low of 73 but 17 points below the pre-recession reading of 95 in October 2007.
Whospends.com: Economy Grows in First Quarter of 2009—But End of Recession Is Not in View: March 2009
Changes in the Consumer Balance Index (CBI) indicate GDP grew between the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009, recovering a portion of its 62% decline between the third and fourth quarters of 2008.
“When Will the Recession End?”, asks the New York Times Company’s CEO as do many sensible managers of enterprises
Janet L. Robinson, president and CEO of the New York Times Company is reported in the February 9, 2009...
Recession Eases in January Economy Remains Fragile
Two indicators show the recession eased in January. But, there are indications that the economy remains fragile...
How and When the Recession Will End
The Consumer Balance Index (CBI) signaled the start of the recession by dropping eight points from 95 in October 2007 to 87 in November...
As Recession Deepens, Consumers Change Where They Shop and What They Buy to Save Money
The percent of consumers checking prices and visiting dealers as they shop actively to buy autos, housing and ten other major products drops abruptly from an INDEX of 93 in September to 81 in October...
Stagflation: Bitter Medicine Good for Environment
In July, under the lash of shrinking buying power caused by stagflation, Americans cut spending for gasoline, new cars, and other products...
Wal-Mart Has Room to Grow in the USA
Wal-Mart is one of the most frequent destinations of Americans....
Stagflation Persists - NO END IN VIEW
In July, Under the lash of shrinking buying power...
Going “Green” to Enhance Brand Appeal
The public is deeply divided and conflicted on the issue of...
Coupons and Other Dollar Stretching
Exercises »Soaring prices are moving consumers to learn...
A Fortunate Few Consumers Continue Active Shopping for Major Goods Despite the Recession »
The Leo J. Shapiro & Associates national survey of 2,902 consumers...
Spending for Food, Gasoline, and Other Consumables during the Recession »
We’re half a year now into the recession. Consumers...
$4 Gallon Gasoline »
What we have learned from past spikes in gasoline prices...
Spending is Distorted in Hard Times »
To reduce spending to an affordable level...
Men and Women Spend Differently »
Money, a major source of marital strife...
How Upper and Lower Income Consumers Spend »
Boom times or hard times, it is easier to be rich than poor...
Black, Hispanic, White Consumer Spending During Hard Times »
In boom times, Black and Hispanic consumers...
- Related Link
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8sages.com
ANNOUNCEMENT
The thirty-three-month proof of concept test of 8Sages real-time tracking of consumer financial balances is complete and successful.
Changes in the Consumer Balance Index (CBI) successfully marked the start of the recession, tracked the career of the economy during the recession and identified the end of the recession.
Tomorrow's News Today 07/24/2010
The economy: The economy is on a roller coaster—directionless but thrilling. Riding high in April, the economy swoops down in May and again in June before ticking up in July. This is the third time economic activity rose and then fell since the recession began.
Consumer spending: Active shopping for housing moves down from 9% in April, to 5% in May, 6% in June, and 4% in July. The percent actively shopping for new cars falls from 8% in May to 4% in June, and 5% in July.
The President: The percent pleased with Obama’s performance in office decreases progressively from 48% in May to 44% in June, and to 43% in July.
The political parties: Republicans gain strength between May and June but then lose about half their gain between June and July.
Tomorrow's News Today 06/21/2010
The economy: Economic growth falters in June. There is a four-point decline in the Consumer Balance Index, largely reflecting a decrease in the percent of consumers with the “Strongest” financial balances: that is the ratio of assets and income to debt and spending. The percent of consumers who say the economy is getting worse increases four points from 42% in May to 46% in June.
Also, the percent of consumers who fear they or another member of their household will lose their job or have their working hours reduced jumps five points from 49% in May to 54% in June.
Inflation: Fear that inflation will accelerate diminishes. The percent of consumers who believe prices will rise at a steeper rate drops from 34% in May to 23% in June. The percent who believe interest rates will be higher six months from now drops from 61% in May to 48% in June.
Consumer spending: The index tracking active shopping for new cars, housing and other big ticket items drops from 110 in May to 96 in June. This 14-point decline reflects a four-point decline in the percent of consumers actively shopping for new cars, a five-point decline in active shopping for used cars, and a four-point decline in the percent of consumers actively shopping for a personal computer.
Consumer Verge on Spending Spree 02/25/2010
Month to month, there are almost across-the-board increases in consumer propensity to spend. The index tracking willingness to spend freely for day-to-day items ticks up reflecting increased willingness to spend freely for gasoline and clothing. This gain, however, is nearly offset by decreased willingness to spend for food and medical services.
Recession-Induced Sleep Disorders Plague Nation 01/25/2010
A slumbering economy could benefit from a good night’s sleep. But, in a Catch-22 scenario, it is the economy itself that is keeping Americans up at night, according to new research undertaken by 8Sages.
War Wories Cloud America’s Hopes for Nation but not Their Personal Finances 12/22/2009
The percent of consumers who spontaneously name “war/foreign affairs” as the major nation problem facing the nation more than quadruples as it jumps from 4% to 5% in the five months ending November to 23% in December.
December’s News on Big Ticket Spending to be Upbeat 11/19/2009
Active shopping for major goods – visiting dealers, checking prices – increases by nine points from an Index of 96 in September to 105 in November.
Economic News Will Be Upbeat in November 10/27/2009
CONSUMER FINANCIAL BALANCE: The Consumer Balance Index (CBI), which tracks consumer perception of the balance between their assets and income versus debt and spending obligations, rebounds from its September recession low of 73 to reach 79 in October 2009.
Obama’s Performance Rating Levels Out As The Public Focuses on Health Care 9/29/2009
PERFORMANCE RATINGS: After the percent of Americans saying they are pleased with Obama’s performance as President hit a 62% high in June it declines to 55% in July and then levels out at 51% in August and 52% in September.
Consumers Clamp Restraints On ALL Spending 9/29/2009
CONSUMER SPENDING: Consumer willingness to spend freely – without constraint – for clothing, food, gasoline, and medical services declines from an Index of 76 in August to 71 in September, which is within a point of the lowest level seen since the start of the Great Recession.
Consumer Financial Balances Sink Close to Recession’s Low 9/29/2009
CONSUMER FINANCIAL BALANCE: The Consumer Balance Index (CBI), which tracks consumer perception of the balance between assets and income versus debt and spending obligations, drops from 78 in August to 74 in September, which is just a point higher than the recession low of 73 reached in October 2008.