“Americans’ views on the economy’s outlook soured in June, showing that unemployment, inflation and the slump in housing are concerning consumers.
The Bloomberg gauge of economic expectations dropped to minus 31 this month, the lowest level since March 2009, from minus 16 in May. The Consumer Comfort Index, issued weekly, improved to minus 44 in the period to June 12, the highest level since mid April, from minus 45.9 as fuel prices kept falling.
“Consumers’ biggest concerns are about jobs and income,” said Chris Low, chief economist at FTN Financial in New York. “The bottom line is that income is not keeping up with inflation right now. People “are making sacrifices.”
∙ Consumer Expectations in U.S. Decrease to Two-Year Low [Bloomberg]
∙ S&P/Case-Shiller: San Francisco Top Tier And Condos Tick Up In March [SocketSite]