Abstract
Consumer spending was largely credited with cushioning the economic blow from the 9/11 tragedies and the 2001 recession. Two marquee names in consumer confidence measurements—The University of Michigan's Index of Consumer Sentiment and The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index—are compared and contrasted as the authors point to indications that job issues have surfaced as paramount concern for consumers, even two years into an economic recovery. This article cautions retail investors with high expectations for 2004 that anxiety over job security will color personal consumption trends, particularly among the low-to-middle income customer.
- © 2004 Institutional Investor, LLC
Don’t have access? Register today to begin unrestricted access to our database of research.