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...

Consumers’ short-term optimism is no longer at recession levels, and the upward trend signals that the economy may be close to bottoming out and that a rebound by mid-2002 is likely,

Once consumers file online, they tend to stay online. The number of people filing their federal taxes online continues to grow with do-it-yourself software paving the way. This year, nearly an equal proportion of consumers...

Despite this latest boost in confidence, holiday spending will be driven by the bargains consumers have come to expect.

The swift outcome in the Middle East has helped quell consumers’ short-term concerns. While an increase of this magnitude occurred after the Persian Gulf War in 1991, this post-war surge differs in that both components...

Consumers appear to have less Christmas spirit heading into Thanksgiving this year than last year,

The economic outlook is becoming increasingly pessimistic, with consumer sentiment continuing to fall.

While nearly 90 percent of consumers say they will not cut back on their buying plans, it’s important to note that this figure is very likely to fall as widespread layoffs begin to materialize,

As the economic ramifications of Sept. 11 continue to reverberate in the coming weeks and months, and the number of layoffs continues to rise, the economy faces tougher times ahead, … While consumers have managed...

Much of the decline in confidence over the past two months can be attributed to the recent hurricanes, (gas) pump shock and a weakening labor market.

The nine-point drop in consumer confidence over the last two months underscores an anxiety about future economic conditions,

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

Consumer confidence readings continue to indicate a strong overall economy. Consumers are not only optimistic about current conditions, but their expectations for the next six months signal continued low unemployment and minimal inflationary pressures.