US Consumers Feel Better

US consumer confidence continues to rise, according to the BIGresearch Executive Briefing for October. Half of consumers (49.9%) say they are confident or very confident in the chances for a strong economy in the next six months, up from 43.4% last month and 37.6% a year ago.

BIGresearch's Consumer Intentions & Actions Survey, which monitors over 8,000 consumers each month, cites declining gas prices and the approach of the holidays as reasons for the more cheerful results. Although consumers are reporting more practical purchasing behaviour than last month (43.3% say they have become more practical in purchasing, up from 39.7% in September), the figure was up over half this time last year (50.1%) so holiday spending may be higher than in 2005.

BIGresearch says consumers are also slightly happier about the employment outlook for the next six months. Only 33.2% contend there will be 'more' layoffs, down from 44.5% last year; while 4.8% express concerns about being laid off themselves, down from 5.3% last year.

The company is online at www.bigresearch.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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