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,