U.S. Consumer Sentiment Pulls Back Slightly In August

RTTNews | 702 days ago
U.S. Consumer Sentiment Pulls Back Slightly In August

(RTTNews) - After reporting a surge in U.S. consumer sentiment in the previous month, the University of Michigan released preliminary data on Friday showing a slight pullback in consumer sentiment in the month of August.

The report said the consumer sentiment index edged down to 71.2 in August after spiking to 71.6 in July. Economists had expected the index to slip to 71.0.

The consumer sentiment index reading for July marked the highest since the index was at 72.8 in September 2021.

"Consumer sentiment was essentially unchanged from July, with small offsetting increases and decreases within the index," said Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu.

The modest decrease by the headline index came as the index of consumer expectations dipped to 67.3 in August from 68.3 in July.

Meanwhile, the current economic conditions index rose to 77.4 in August from 76.6 in July, reaching the highest level since October 2021.

"At 71.2 index points, sentiment is now about 42% above the all-time historic low reached in June of 2022 and is approaching the historical average reading of 86," said Hsu.

She added, "In general, consumers perceived few material differences in the economic environment from last month, but they saw substantial improvements relative to just three months ago."

The report also said year-ahead inflation expectations edged down to 3.3 percent in August from 3.4 percent in July.

Long-run inflation expectations also slipped to 2.9 percent in August from 3.0 percent in July, staying within the narrow 2.9-3.1 percent range for 24 of the last 25 months.

read more
U.S. Jobless Claims Unexpectedly Slip To 227,000

U.S. Jobless Claims Unexpectedly Slip To 227,000

First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits unexpectedly edged modestly lower in the week ended July 5th, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday.
RTTNews | 3 days ago
U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Unexpectedly Edge Lower

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Unexpectedly Edge Lower

First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits unexpectedly edged modestly lower in the week ended July 5th, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday.
RTTNews | 3 days ago
U.S. House Purchase Mortgage Applications Highest In Over 2 Years: MBA

U.S. House Purchase Mortgage Applications Highest In Over 2 Years: MBA

Home loan applications in the U.S. rose to their highest level since early 2023 in the week ended July 04, while mortgage rates eased only modestly, survey data from the Mortgage Bankers Association showed on Wednesday. The number of mortgage applications grew 9.4 percent from the previous week when it they rose 2.7 percent, the MBA said.
RTTNews | 4 days ago
Fed Minutes Reveal Mixed Views About Outlook For Interest Rates

Fed Minutes Reveal Mixed Views About Outlook For Interest Rates

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday released the minutes of its June monetary policy meeting, which revealed most participants generally agree the central bank is well positioned to wait for more clarity on the outlook for inflation and the economy before adjusting interest rates.
RTTNews | 4 days ago
U.S. Wholesale Inventories Dip In Line With Estimates In May

U.S. Wholesale Inventories Dip In Line With Estimates In May

A report released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday showed a modest decrease by wholesale inventories in the U.S. in the month of May. The Commerce Department said wholesale inventories fell by 0.3 percent in May after inching up by 0.1 percent in April. The pullback by inventories matched economist expectations as well as the flash estimate.
RTTNews | 4 days ago