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.