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The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index declined by 1.9 points, or 3.9%, in July, posting 47.1 vs. 49.0 in June. The index is 0.3 points below its 12-month average of 47.4, 2.7 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered the recession, and 2.6 points below its all-time average of 49.7.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index improved by 3.9 points, or 8.6%, in June, posting 49.0 vs. 45.1 in May. The index is 1.6 points above its 12-month average of 47.4, 4.6 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered the recession, and 0.7 points below its all-time average of 49.7.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index declined by 1.1 points, or 2.4%, in May, posting 45.1 vs. 46.2 in April. The index is 2.1 points below its 12-month average of 47.2, 0.7 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered the recession, and 4.6 points below its all-time average of 49.7.
A year into the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, James Angel went all in with stocks – in fact, more than all in. In January 2009, the finance professor at Georgetown University bought leveraged exchange-traded funds, which allowed him to borrow money so he could own more stock. He was convinced the market was nearing its nadir. He thought it was a perfect time to invest.
Despite being badly spooked by the 2008-09 financial crisis, Americans have retained their faith in the stock market.
As real as the housing recovery is, a new poll finds that home buying is still hampered significantly by challenges such as tight credit and a constrained supply of homes for sale.
Americans regained some confidence lost ahead of the "sequester" budget cuts, after predictions of doom were seen as overblown, according to the latest IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index improved by 4.0 points, or 9.5%, in April, posting 46.2 vs. 42.2 in March. The index is 1.3 points below its 12-month average of 47.5, 1.8 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered the recession, and 3.5 points below its all-time average of 49.7.
A 9 percent surge in gasoline prices in February helped fuel a 0.7 percent rise in the consumer price index, the biggest since June 2009. Fortunately, prices at the pump have since eased.
The economy should continue to add jobs despite the sequester. The jobs report shows the housing recovery bolstering employment. Homeowner optimism is likely to improve, too.
About 62 percent of Americans see government spending as inefficient and bloated, a new Monitor/TIPP poll shows. They also much prefer general spending cuts to tax hikes or cuts in entitlement programs.
With tax hikes and rising gasoline prices sapping consumers' pocketbooks and politicians preaching sequester gloom and doom, the IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index plunged 5.1 points in March to 42.2, the lowest since December 2011.
The Dow stock index just hit a historic high, but with unemployment at 7.9 percent, many Americans aren't sharing the euphoria. Still, such markers can be turning points in a recovery.
A new Monitor/TIPP poll finds that 6 in 10 Americans, facing shrinking income and rising taxes, say that the economy is still in recession, despite economic reports that the slump is over.
The Economy: On a day when the Dow 30 takes out a record high, the latest IBD/TIPP Poll shows the public turning gloomy. Wall Street obviously sees some reason to cheer, but what is it?
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index declined by 5.1 points, or 10.8%, in March, posting 42.2 vs. 47.3 in February. The index is 5.5 points below its 12-month average of 47.7, 2.2 points below its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered the recession, and 7.5 points below its all-time average of 49.7.
President Obama's State of the Union speech made Page 1 headlines across the nation Wednesday. However, it was a rare headline on Page B8 of our newspaper that caught my attention. It said, "January surplus shrinks 2013 U.S. budget deficit."
U.S. consumers grew slightly more optimistic about the economy and their personal finances in February, although more than half think the economy is in recession.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index improved by 0.8 points, or 1.7%, in February, posting 47.3 vs. 46.5 in January. The index is 0.9 points below its 12-month average of 48.2, 2.9 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered the recession, and 2.5 points below its all-time average of 49.8.
The results of the Monitor/TIPP poll – some 75 percent of respondents said the debt limit and spending should be linked – mesh with other surveys that cite rising concerns about deficits.
