Economy
Featured Posts
Markets are settling into holiday mode, with stock futures slightly down on the last full trading day before Christmas. Here’s where things stand today: * Nasdaq-100: +0.37% * S&P 500: +0.04% (flat) * Dow Jones: -0.22% On Friday, the S&P 500 rose 1.1%, recovering
Quantum computing stocks are taking off in 2024. Is this the start of something big? Let’s take a closer look Google’s Chip Changes the Game Google’s new Willow chip, a 105-qubit processor, hit a big milestone: * Fixed Errors: It solved a 30-year problem by cutting down error
Government surveys that track the economy are failing. Budgets are shrinking, people are skipping surveys, and economic data we rely on is becoming less trustworthy. This is a big deal—because when the numbers are wrong, decisions that affect markets, businesses, and everyday life go wrong, too. Here’s what’
The S&P 500 Value Index just dropped 3.7%, marking its longest losing streak on record. Meanwhile, Bitcoin smashed past the $100,000 mark, and the Nasdaq climbed to 20,000. To me, it seems that value stocks have been left in the dust, and investors chasing bigger
Almost $10 billion has poured into Bitcoin ETFs since the US election, pushing Bitcoin past the $100,000 mark for the first time. The momentum is crazy, with Bitcoin posting its best winning streak since 2021. With investors pouring in, knowing the risks are more important than ever. Bitcoin’s
You ever had that one friend that thinks the world is gonna end? That’s what consumer sentiment is like right now— it’s a snapshot of how optimistic or pessimistic we all feel about the economy. Let me break down what’s going on and why it matters to you
In June, the University of Michigan's Index of Consumer Sentiment took a nosedive to 65.6 from 69.1 in May. Their Index of Current Economic Conditions also dropped to 62.5 from 69.6.
Meanwhile, the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose to 102.0 in May, up from 97.5 in April. Talk about mixed signals.
Consumer sentiment, or consumer confidence, measures how optimistic or pessimistic consumers are about the economy, jobs, and personal finances. It's like checking the mood of the nation—when we're feeling good, we spend more; when we're not, we tighten our belts.
Why Does It Matter?
Consumer spending makes up a whopping 67.9% of the U.S. GDP. So, if people aren’t confident, they spend less, making it a useful indicator for predicting slowdowns in the economy.
How You Can Stay Informed
There are two surveys I follow, that I also recommend:
- University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers: Started in 1946 and now monthly, it surveys about 600 people on their finances, business conditions, and buying conditions.
- The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Survey: Started in 1967 and now monthly, it surveys around 3,000 people on business conditions, employment, and income expectations.
What Today's Data Tells Us
The latest data from June shows a dip in the Michigan's Consumer Sentiment, signaling reduced confidence.
On the flip side, the Conference Board’s index rose in May, suggesting some optimism.
It’s a bit like trying to decide if you need an umbrella or sunglasses—mixed signals everywhere.