A Good Week for the Economy

The economy appears to be picking up more momentum, as consumer sentiment saw a marked gain amid a week of data releases that underscore renewed economic growth. Today, the University of Michigan released its survey that showed the overall consumer sentiment index at 96.1, up from 90.7 in May. Bob Hughes, senior research fellow at…

The economy appears to be picking up more momentum, as consumer sentiment saw a marked gain amid a week of data releases that underscore renewed economic growth.

Today, the University of Michigan released its survey that showed the overall consumer sentiment index at 96.1, up from 90.7 in May. Bob Hughes, senior research fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research, called it โ€œa nice rebound. Itโ€™s a good sign for consumers.โ€

The survey showed notable improvements in current conditions, as well as consumer expectations. The latter is an indicator in The Conference Boardโ€™s Leading Economic Index, making it a credible barometer of future economic activity.

โ€œItโ€™s more evidence weโ€™re getting out of that first quarter slump,โ€ Hughes said. That evidence also includes solid gains in personal income and consumer spending.

Thatโ€™s on top of Tuesdayโ€™s news from the Commerce Department, which reported that non-defense capital goods orders excluding aircraft rose 0.4 percent in May. โ€œThatโ€™s a positive indication of business investment spending,โ€ Hughes said.

Overall, new orders fell 1.8 percent, but that number includes the volatile aircraft industry. Non-defense aircraft fell 35 percent during the month, which Hughes said doesnโ€™t speak to the health of the economy as a whole.

 

 



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