Author: Michaela Ross

Accelerating Wage Gains, Strong Job Market Could Bolster Consumer Sentiment

By Michaela Ross Consumer sentiment is expected to rise this month against the backdrop of a strengthening labor market and wage gains. Predictions for Friday’s University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index ticked up to 96 from April’s preliminary read of 95.9 and March’s 93. Sentiment has been declining this year […]

Disappointing Jobs Numbers and Wage Gains Expected for March

By Michaela Ross Friday’s employment report is expected to show weaker jobs gains and stagnant wage growth as harsh weather, a stronger dollar and a retracting U.S. energy industry slowed the overall economy. Economists are predicting 245,000 jobs may be added in March, far below last month’s gain of 295,000, […]

Consumer Sentiment Slips in March with Winter Weather and Lukewarm Wage Gains

By Michaela Ross High utility bills from record-setting winter weather, stagnant wages and rebounding gas prices pulled consumer sentiment down this month, indicating Americans remain cautious and reluctant to spend. The final reading for March’s University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey came in Friday at 93, slipping from last month’s […]

Consumer Sentiment Falls in February as Gas Prices Rise

The consumer sentiment index slid in February as rebounding gas prices and cold temperatures shook household confidence. The University of Michigan’s survey tumbled to 95.4 this month after peaking in January at an 11-year high of 98.1. That’s still far above 2014’s February reading of 81.6 and a bump-up from […]