Shetland Season 8: How Many Episodes & When Do New Episodes Come Out?

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Consumer Confidence Continues To Improve As Asset Prices Rise (Part 1 of 6) The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index is a leading indicator for the US economy The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index is an important indicator of the consumer’s perception of the US economy. Similar to other consumer confidence measures, it asks consumers about their views on the current economic conditions and their expectations for six months out. Consumption is the major driver of the US economy, and it accounts for 70% of GDP. Consumption has been relatively subdued since the recession began, as Americans have boosted their savings rate and spent only on essentials. Highlights from the report The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rose to 92.6 in December from 91 in November. Consumer confidence in 1985 was 100. The present index rose to 98.6 from 93.7, but the expectations index decreased to 88.5 from 89.3. Given that 1985 is more or less at par, consumer confidence is still on the weak side. The index can vary widely. In May of 2000, it was 144.7, and in February of 2009, it bottomed at 25.3. The expectations outlook may have been driven by a drop in the labor market outlook. Despite some disappointing economic reports, it appears that consumers are feeling better, and that might be due to increasing asset prices—particularly the stock market and the real estate market. In fact, we’re seeing a broadening of the real estate recovery from the West Coast to some of the more dormant markets in the Midwest and the Northeast—and that may be playing a role as well. Impact on commercial REITs We’ve been starting to see the consumer wake up and begin to spend. In particular, the luxury end of the retailing sector seems to be performing best. This is good news for mall REITs like Simon Property Group (SPG), General Growth Properties (GGP), CBL and Associates (CBL), and Taubman (TCO), as well as the Vanguard REIT ETF (VNQ). Generally, recessions end when the consumer finally begins to spend, and often it’s out of necessity, not desire. Eventually, the clothes wear out and the 12-year-old car becomes too expensive to keep fixing. We have a tremendous amount of pent-up demand in the US right now, and it appears we may be at the inflection point. Continue to Part 2 Browse this series on Market Realist: Part 2 - The Dallas Fed Survey Slips In December, Affecting Mortgage REITs Part 3 - Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Slips From A 7-Year High Part 4 - Case-Shiller Shows That Real Estate Growth Is Flattening View comments
Optimal Performance: Embrace the Taper Before Your Big Event
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