Consumer Mood Index Hits Highest Mark Since September
Now stands at -90, up from -120 a week ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Gallup's Consumer Mood Index rose sharply over the last week, to -90 for March 13-15. This is up from -120 a week ago and is the most positive the Index has been since mid-September 2008. The increase is commensurate with the four-day consecutive gains in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, beginning last Tuesday, and also with the Obama administration's recent emphasis on more positive views of the economy.
Gallup's Consumer Mood Index is the net positive of Gallup's Economic Conditions and Economic Outlook measures, both based on Gallup Poll Daily tracking.
Gallup’s Personal Credit Index survey, conducted March 23, shows that 23% of Americans are worried about making their monthly payments over the next six months -- the highest March reading since the Index’s inception in March 2005.
Last week, Gallup's Consumer Mood Index had its most positive showing since September. At the same time, there was no improvement in either consumer spending or net new hiring, suggesting that while economic attitudes are becoming more positive, actual behavior has yet to follow.