While the latest signals suggest that U.S. economic activity should decelerate in coming months, consumers are not expecting this record-breaking economic expansion to end any time soon.

We’re a little more positive about the outlook of the holiday shopping season than we were in October.

still strong and not worrisome.

Despite sluggish economic conditions and almost non-stop layoff announcements, consumers are cautiously optimistic that the economy will rebound later this year,

So these issues can bear some looking at, … There may be some modifications that employers can make in some of these areas that will be cost-effective, for both parties concerned.

While the economy has not turned around yet, the worst may well be over. The upturn in confidence is being driven by growing confidence about the business outlook and job prospects. Consumer expectations for the...

While the Index remains below its pre-Katrina levels, the shock of the hurricanes and subsequent leap in gas prices has begun wearing off just in time for the holiday season. Despite this latest boost in...

The shock of the hurricanes and subsequent leap in gas prices has begun wearing off just in time for the holiday season.

Widespread layoffs and rising unemployment do not signal a rebound in confidence anytime soon, … With the holiday season quickly approaching, there is little positive stimuli on the horizon.

Whatever stock market effect we’ve had probably was felt in the present conditions index, but the overall index remains strong, … The boost in optimism, coupled with tax refunds, should continue to fuel spending.

The improvement in consumers’ mood suggests that business activity and labor market activity will continue to pick up over the next several months.

As rebuilding efforts take hold and job growth gains momentum, consumers’ confidence should rebound and return to more positive levels by year-end or early 2006.

Looking ahead, the CEOs are cautiously optimistic but not as optimistic about the short-term outlook as they were at the end of 2004.

The tight labor market and continue optimism about jobs is clearly keeping consumer spirits high.

Growing optimism about the overall health of the economy continues to bolster consumers’ short-term outlook. But consumers’ assessment of current conditions, which strongly hinges on improvements in the labor market, remains both weak and volatile.

There’s been an increase in any pampering — like spas, or any treatment that would be considered a luxury,

… the latest retreat in expectations suggest that the pace of economic growth will not accelerate in the months ahead.

Especially in this tight labor market,

Consumers continue to rate current conditions quite positively, but they’re still tentative about the outlook.

Consumer confidence continues to bounce back and is now at its highest level since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast.

The level of optimism does not suggest a dramatic acceleration in economic growth during the first half of 2003.

Recent turmoil on Wall Street and in worldwide financial markets, along with continuing layoff announcements, have not dampened consumer confidence,

[Consumers] are more optimistic about the outlook than last month. Historically, this trend is prevalent during a recovery.

Historically, shocks have had a short-term impact on consumer confidence, especially on consumers’ expectations.

The rising level of unemployment and sentiment that a turnaround in labor market conditions is not around the corner have contributed to deflating consumers’ spirits this month. Expectations are likely to remain weak until the...

The lack of improvement in labor market conditions continues to dampen consumers’ spirits, … Despite September’s retreat, consumers remain cautiously optimistic about the outlook for the next six months. Consumer spending is likely to continue...

Consumers appear to be weathering the steady rise in gas prices quite well.

The resiliency of the economy, recent declines in prices at the pump and job growth have consumers feeling more confident at year-end than they felt at the start of 2005.

CEO confidence has slipped considerably over the past two quarters, as both current conditions and expectations have softened.

Hurricane Katrina, coupled with soaring gasoline prices and a less optimistic job outlook, has … created a degree of uncertainty and concern about the short-term future.

With unemployment at a 30-year low and the short-term Conference Board forecast projecting favorable labor market conditions, confidence is expected to remain strong through the summer. Volatile financial markets and interest rate hikes are not...

The major factor dampening consumers’ spirits has been the rising unemployment rate and the discouraging job outlook,

The improvement in the present situation Index, especially in the jobs component, suggests that consumers believe a slow but sure labor market turnaround is underway. The rise in expectations is a signal that consumers will...

Higher prices are driving more shoppers to the Internet instead of to the mall and changing the way consumers are doing their holiday shopping this year.

And then the overall work environment is important, both the people they work with and the physical conditions.

Barring an unforeseen shock, we would expect consumer confidence to continue to hover around current levels, indicating continued economic growth.

I think what we’re seeing here, … is that wages, overall, have always been seen as being at the low end of the totem pole. People are never quite satisfied with their wages. We don’t...

Consumers’ confidence has been bolstered by the improvement in business and labor market conditions, … The latest gains are striking. This new boom in confidence should translate into increased consumer spending and stronger economic growth...

While overall confidence remains relatively positive, the latest reading reflects growing concerns that U.S. economic growth may be slowing down. And, while the outlook for corporate profits remains optimistic, rising interest rates and oil prices...

The sharp drop in short-term expectations in January is more likely due to international circumstances than domestic instabilities,

What we’re seeing is that price increases are not being passed on to the consumer. So again, companies are having to find other ways to raise the bottom line

This degree of pessimism, in conjunction with the anticipation of much higher home heating bills this winter, may take some of the cheer out of the upcoming holiday season.

We think a lot of that is reaction to the spike in prices at the pump following Katrina.

Consumers’ upbeat mood about current business and labor conditions underscores the economy’s continuing recovery, but the latest retreat in expectations suggest that the pace of economic growth will not accelerate in the months ahead,

Much of the improvement in confidence can be attributed to the resiliency of the economy post-Katrina and the recent declines in fuel prices.

A decline of more than 40 cents in gasoline prices this month and the improving job outlook have combined to help restore consumers’ confidence.

Hikes in interest rates, severe drought conditions in the Northeast, and rising gasoline prices have helped dampen overall consumer optimism.

Rising unemployment and continuing layoff announcements are dampening confidence, … A turnaround in confidence levels is not likely before year’s end, nor are retailers likely to enjoy a blockbuster holiday season.

more positive levels by year-end or early 2006.

Consumers have grown increasingly optimistic over the last three months, … The recent turnaround in the stock market and an easing in unemployment claims should keep consumer expectations at current levels and may signal more...