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Consumer Analysis: In Brief Nov 20, 2009Risks to Mortgage Credit Quality Remain High However, signs of coming improvement are growing.  Nov 18, 2009Online Retail Sales Maintain Recovery Consumers remain cautious, and growth will be slow through spring. Nov 18, 2009 Fed Data Confirm Coming Credit Quality Improvement Losses mount, but not for much longer. Nov 16, 2009 Great Recession Pushes Poverty Higher Increases in poverty were nearly universal across demographic groups. Nov 10, 2009 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending November 7 Small decline in ICSC ends six straight weekly gains. Oct 15, 2009 No COLA, but White House Proposes One-Time Social Security Payment The proposal would fit with our outlook for additional stimulus. Oct 01, 2009 Mixed Signs From Consumer Credit Quality Consumer credit quality deteriorated further, with some signs of stabilization. Sep 29, 2009 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending September 26 Sales are not moving consistently in either direction. Sep 25, 2009 Michigan Confidence Jumps in Late September Consumers may be starting to believe the recession is over. Sep 22, 2009 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending September 19 Typical seasonal spending plunge masks flat trend. Sep 15, 2009 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending September 12 Weaker comparisons send year-ago growth higher. Aug 24, 2009 Social Security Increase Not Likely in January Although tied to the CPI-W, the cost-of-living adjustment cannot take benefits lower. Aug 21, 2009 Credit Quality Might Be Approaching a Turning Point MBA data confirm reasons for optimism. Aug 18, 2009 Fed Confirms That Credit Quality Weakened Further Consumer loan delinquency and default rates rise. Aug 17, 2009 Online Retail Sales Grew for Second Straight Quarter E-commerce sales have likely bottomed, but recovery will be slow. Aug 10, 2009 Declines in Consumer Credit Accelerate Consumer credit outstanding is at its lowest since 2007 as recession reduces consumer borrowing. Jul 08, 2009 Consumer Credit Declined More Slowly in May Demand for credit remains weak even as spending gradually recovers. Jun 30, 2009 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending June 27 Tentative signs that the recent spending slump is nearing an end. Jun 26, 2009 Michigan Confidence Resumes Its Ascent Confidence improves in late June after holding steady for two months. Jun 02, 2009 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending May 30 Both measures show slightly positive year-ago sales growth. May 29, 2009 MBA Data Verify Weakening Credit Conditions Mortgage credit conditions weakened substantially. May 28, 2009 Education Needs Will Contribute to Long-Run Saving Education plays a not so insignificant role in saving trends. May 27, 2009 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending May 23 Mixed reports consistent with flat spending growth. May 19, 2009 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending May 16 Year-ago growth in both measures falls back below zero. May 15, 2009 Online Retail Sales Manage Weak Growth E-commerce sales inched up in the first quarter but remain below 2008 levels. May 15, 2009 Upward Trend in Michigan Holds Confidence is climbing out of the cellar but remains very low. Apr 02, 2009 Credit Quality Problems Intensified ABA data point to weak credit quality at the end of 2008. Mar 26, 2009 Housing ATM Is Out of Business Net home equity withdrawal is negative for third straight quarter. Mar 24, 2009 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending March 21 Sales declines accelerate but remain ahead of earlier in the year. Mar 20, 2009 More Safety, Less Income Money market fund change offers greater protection but lower returns. Mar 17, 2009 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending March 14 Sales growth flattening out, still far behind last year. Mar 06, 2009 Mortgage Credit Conditions Tumble Further Mortgage credit conditions weakened further as more loans became delinquent. Mar 04, 2009 Beige Book Paints Grim Picture for Consumers Rising unemployment and declining wages will test household finances. Mar 03, 2009 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending February 28 ICSC and Redbook take a step back; still better than a month ago. Feb 27, 2009 Less Spending Than Thought Late in 2008 But the downward revision was solely due to energy. Feb 25, 2009 Fed Data Confirm Credit Quality at Record Lows Confirming evidence that consumer credit conditions deteriorated severely in 2008. Feb 24, 2009 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending February 21 Marginal improvement in sales, still lagging behind last year. Feb 18, 2009 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending February 14 Recent sales boost doesn't change weak trend. Feb 13, 2009 No Signs of Improvement in Consumer Sentiment The one index showing some strength falls back. Feb 12, 2009 Recreation Industry Hit Headwinds in 2007 Revenue growth decelerated, further strain ahead. Jan 15, 2009 Beige Book: More Bad News for Consumers Sharp reduction in bonuses will hurt spending in the first quarter. Jan 09, 2009 Consumers' Appetite for Credit Diminishes More evidence that consumers are packing it in. Jan 07, 2009 Consumer Credit Quality in Trouble Credit conditions weakened in most of the credit lines covered by the ABA. Jan 06, 2009 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending January 3 Early 2009 improvement not enough to reverse consistent weakness. Dec 31, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending December 27 A disappointing end to the holiday shopping season. Dec 24, 2008 Slower Population Growth and Migration in 2008 Growth was weakest in the Northeast and strongest in the West. Dec 16, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending December 13 Consumers perhaps holding back for last-minute shopping. Dec 09, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending December 6 A disappointing second week of the holiday shopping season. Dec 01, 2008 NBER: U.S. Recession Began in December 2007 The question now is how long and severe will it be. Nov 25, 2008 Conference Board Confidence Index Rebounds Modestly But confidence remains consistent with a severe recession. Nov 20, 2008 Senate Extends Unemployment Insurance Benefits The extension will help but not cure all that ails the consumer. Nov 19, 2008 Online Retail Sales Slow Sharply E-commerce fails to avoid retail spending slump, outlook dark for the holidays. Nov 12, 2008 Some Help for Distressed Homeowners Coming This will not be enough to stem the flow of foreclosures. Nov 10, 2008 Consumer Credit Recovers in September Demand for nonrevolving credit increases temporarily. Oct 28, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending October 25 Low gas prices provide some lift to sales, but only a little. Oct 21, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending October 18 Falling gas prices outweighed by economic concerns. Oct 14, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending October 11 Second consecutive weekly gain in ICSC fails to bring hope. Oct 03, 2008 Credit Conditions Erode Further Relief from rebate checks was limited according to ABA data. Oct 03, 2008 Consumers Living With Family Do Best Those living with unrelated persons are the worst off. Sep 30, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending September 27 The ICSC's fourth consecutive weekly decline. Sep 11, 2008 Home Mortgage Originations Tumbled in 2007 HMDA data show fallout from the bursting housing bubble. Sep 09, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending September 6 Moderating growth as tax rebates' impact fades. Sep 08, 2008 MBA Data Point to Mounting Foreclosures Rebate checks had a measurable but temporary effect on mortgage credit quality. Aug 26, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending August 23 Mixed messages in two chain store sales reports. Aug 15, 2008 Confidence Surprisingly Slips While up for the month, confidence fell from late July to early August. Jul 29, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending July 26 Rebates and lower gas prices lift chain store sales. Jul 14, 2008 More Responsible Mortgage Lending Fed finalizes plan to protect consumers from predatory lending. Jul 09, 2008 Stimulus Checks Did Not Ease Credit Usage in May Revolving credit balances increase at a steady rate. May 08, 2008 Demand for Consumer Credit Increases Consumers utilize both revolving and non-revolving credit. Apr 03, 2008 ABA Delinquency Rates Verify Weakening Credit Quality As stress on households intensifies. Mar 25, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending March 22 Weakest year-over-year growth in nearly five years by one measure. Feb 26, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending February 23 Minor improvement in sales growth by one measure. Feb 20, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending February 16 Energy prices and recession fears weigh on sales. Feb 15, 2008 E-commerce Sales Growth Rebounds in the Fourth Quarter Year-ago growth slows as headwinds strengthen. Feb 14, 2008 Home Cash-Outs: The ATM Is Closed The relationship between refi activity and cash-out volumes weakens. Feb 05, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending February 2 Year-over-year growth below 2% for fifth consecutive week. Jan 30, 2008 Consumers Star Once Again Despite modest growth, real spending leads in the third quarter. Jan 29, 2008 Confidence Stabilizing? Conference Board index reversed December gains, but falls no further. Jan 18, 2008 One Step Closer to a Fiscal Stimulus Package President Bush calls for "rapid" tax relief. Jan 15, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending January 12 Weakest year-over-year growth since July 2003 by one measure. Jan 02, 2008 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending December 29 Strong last-minute shopping puts a floor under sales. Nov 28, 2007 More Evidence of Eroding Mortgage Credit Quality Fed data confirm household finances are stretched. Nov 20, 2007 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending November 17 Retailers cross fingers as holiday shopping season approaches. Nov 13, 2007 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending November 10 Retailers crossing fingers as holiday season quickly approaches. Nov 07, 2007 Consumer Credit Growth Hits a Speed Bump Weak demand for autos weighs on nonrevolving credit. Oct 05, 2007 No Slowing Down Demand for Consumer Credit Rebound in vehicle sales bolsters demand for nonrevolving. Oct 02, 2007 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending September 29 Sales growth stalls following two weeks of hefty declines. Sep 26, 2007 Credit Problems Remain Isolated to Mortgages Slower hiring will lead to a deterioration in other segments. Sep 10, 2007 Consumers Turn to Credit Cards in July Installment credit continues to advance, led by revolving credit. Sep 05, 2007 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending September 1 Another week, another batch of soft sales reports. Aug 28, 2007 Fed Data Suggest Mortgage Woes Are Contained Tight labor markets keep credit card delinquencies in check. Aug 28, 2007 Confidence Drop in August Confirmed by Conference Board Confidence drops to one-year low. Aug 22, 2007 Investor Jitters Slam Consumer Confidence Sentiment falls to lowest level since Hurricane Katrina. Aug 08, 2007 Installment Credit Rises Modestly Weak auto sales will crimp demand for nonrevolving credit. Jul 31, 2007 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending July 28 Sales improve as back-to-school shoppers hit the stores. Jul 02, 2007 New Rules with Small Impacts Neither new lending nor pricing rules will have major effects. May 16, 2007 Slower Growth in Internet Sales But the sales continue to gain ground on brick-and-mortar stores. May 08, 2007 Installment Credit Growth Bounces Back in March Rising gas prices and strong retail sales lift revolving credit. May 01, 2007 More Evidence That Housing Has Yet to Hit Bottom Rising homeowner vacancy rate bodes ill for wealth accumulation. Apr 09, 2007 Installment Credit Growth Slows Demand will accelerate, particularly for revolving credit. Mar 20, 2007 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending March 17 Sales improve but gas prices are back on consumers' radar. Feb 27, 2007 Fed Data Confirm Erosion in Mortgage Credit Quality Credit quality will be tested this year. Feb 21, 2007 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending February 17 Sales growth posts second consecutive decline. Feb 13, 2007 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending February 10 Sales are inconsistent, typical for this time of year. Feb 07, 2007 Fed's Bernanke Discusses Income Inequality As the gap continues to widen across income brackets. Jan 17, 2007 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending January 13 Colder weather and low gasoline prices support sales. Jan 08, 2007 Installment Credit Growth Accelerated in November Revolving credit usage continues to accelerate. Dec 08, 2006 Weakening Expectations Hurt Michigan Sentiment Current conditions strong in early December. Dec 08, 2006 Installment Credit Retreats In October Led entirely by a reduction in nonrevolving credit. Nov 17, 2006 E-Tailers Hoping for Happy Holidays E-commerce sales proving resilient to spending slowdown. Sep 12, 2006 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending September 9 Sales soften as consumer finances face increasing headwinds. Sep 06, 2006 How Low Will Gas Prices Go? Do not get too excited as consumer fundamentals remain mixed. Sep 05, 2006 House-Price Growth Quickly Heading South Low affordability and rising inventories are the main catalysts. Aug 18, 2006 More Weakness in Michigan Confidence The sharp drop in early August is likely at least partially temporary. Aug 18, 2006 Summer Heat Wilts E-Commerce Sales Growth Interest rate hikes and rising energy prices put the heat on consumers, wilting both e-commerce and retail sales growth. Aug 01, 2006 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending July 29 Chain store sales data continue to show mixed results. Jul 18, 2006 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending July 15 Rising gasoline prices continue to tame spending growth. Jun 13, 2006 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending June 10 Chain store sales reports mixed in the latest week. May 31, 2006 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending May 27 Another soft report prompts the ICSC to lower its May sales projection. May 02, 2006 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending April 29 Chain store sales continue to impress on the back of warm weather and the Easter holiday. Apr 14, 2006 Consumer Credit Data The strengths and weaknesses of the G.19 statistical release are exposed. Apr 13, 2006 Weak Michigan Confidence Rising gas prices and declining stock prices weigh on confidence. Dec 28, 2005 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending December 24 Chain store sales were positive in the latest week. Dec 20, 2005 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending December 17 Chain store sales were mixed, but leaned on the positive end. Dec 09, 2005 Michigan Confidence Recovers The last of the major indices to reach its pre-Katrina range. Dec 02, 2005 Good or Bad? Wal-Mart's Effect on Consumers To what extent is criticism of Wal-Mart unfounded? Nov 29, 2005 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending November 26 Weekly chain store data showed a healthy, but not stellar, start to holiday shopping. Nov 22, 2005 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending November 19 Chain store sales were mixed in the latest week. Nov 15, 2005 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending November 12 Chain store sales were soft in latest week due to warm weather. Nov 08, 2005 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending November 5 Chain store sales were strong on a weekly basis. Nov 01, 2005 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending October 29 Chain store sales were positive in the latest week. Oct 25, 2005 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending October 22 Chain store sales were mixed in the latest week. Oct 18, 2005 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending October 15 Chain store sales firmed during the latest week. Oct 11, 2005 ICSC, Redbook Weekly Sales Ending October 8 Chain store sales increased again during the first week of October. Oct 04, 2005 ICSC, Redbook Weekly Sales Ending October 1 Chain store sales increased during the last week of September. Sep 27, 2005 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending September 24 Chain store sales were mixed in the latest week. Sep 20, 2005 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending September 17 Chain store sales were soft during the latest week. Sep 15, 2005 Higher Energy Prices Push Inflation Back To Recent Peak Levels Core inflation remains tame, however. Sep 13, 2005 ICSC, Redbook Sales Week Ending September 10 Chain store sales reports were mixed for the week. Sep 12, 2005 Credit Quality Continues to Improve Credity quality remains strong as a result of healthy job and wage growth. Sep 06, 2005 Wal-Mart Weekly Sales Ending September 2 Modest growth subject to Katrina and gasoline prices. Aug 26, 2005
Michigan Confidence Falls Sharply At least one measure of confidence tumbled in late August. |
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