Consumer outlook improved in January, reversing some of the sharp deterioration seen at the end of last year, though the recovery remains tentative. The University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment, reported on Friday (Jan. 23) rose to 56.4 in January from 52.9 in December, reflecting...
As the government shutdown loomed, PYMNTS Intelligence last month found consumers’ optimism about their financial stability weakened as income growth trailed rising expenses. Four in 10 consumers said their paychecks are not keeping up with higher prices, and more than half reported that inflation continued...
The Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book paints a familiar picture of an economy searching for direction, one defined less by momentum than by hesitation. In the 56-page report released Wednesday (Oct. 15), the word “uncertainty” appears 40 times, while “optimism” surfaces only 13, a linguistic...
Consumer sentiment paused its late-summer slide in October, but the story behind the headline hasn’t changed: households remain fixated on high prices and a softening job outlook, and they don’t expect quick improvement. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and...
September 08, 2025
Consumers are girding for higher inflation over the short term and long term, while sentiment is souring on job prospects for the next few months. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, […]
June 19, 2025
The biggest retail trend of 2025 might not be the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) or social platforms like TikTok. It might be the impact of tariffs on consumer sentiment....
March 05, 2025
The word “uncertainty” appears in the Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book 34 times. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to...
January 10, 2025
For the jobs market, this is the way the year ends — not with a whimper but a bang. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article...
August 20, 2025
Major U.S. retailers’ forecasts reportedly have investors wondering whether the current slump in consumer spending could last through the holiday shopping season. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today. By completing […]
August 07, 2025
American consumers feel more optimistic about their finances, but wary of several other economic factors. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free...
August 01, 2025
The mood of consumers improved for a second consecutive month in July, though it remains worse than it was in December, according to the latest installment of the University of...
July 18, 2025
Consumer sentiment inched up in July to reach its highest level in five months, though it remained below its December reading and its historical average, according to preliminary results from...
