Author: Nicolas Pena-Brown

The latest biweekly reading of the Penta-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) decreased by 0.7 points to 30.6 as the longest government shutdown in U.S. history ended on November 12. The ESI declined past the previous yearly low of 30.9 (from two periods ago) to reach the lowest level recorded since July 2022. Click to view… Continue reading Economic sentiment declines again to its lowest point since July 2022

The latest biweekly reading of the Penta-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) increased by 0.4 points to 31.3, remaining near an all-time-low as the government shutdown continues. Click to view image. Two of the ESI’s five indicators increased during this period. Confidence in the overall U.S. economy increased the most, rising 2.4 points to 32.0. —Confidence… Continue reading Economic sentiment slightly increases as government shutdown continues

The latest biweekly reading of the Penta-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) decreased by 1.0 point to 30.9, dropping below its previous low point in the weeks following the April 2025 tariff announcement. The index has now hit its lowest point since July 2022 amid continued economic uncertainty and the federal government shutdown. Click to view… Continue reading Economic sentiment declines to its lowest point since July 2022

The latest biweekly reading of the Penta-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) rose by 0.2 points, from 31.7 to 31.9, at the start of the third quarter of 2025 and following the first government shutdown since 2019.  Click to view image. Three of the ESI’s five indicators increased during this period. Confidence in finding a new… Continue reading Economic sentiment rises slightly as the U.S. government shuts down

The latest biweekly reading of the Penta-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) fell by 0.8 points, from 32.5 to 31.7, after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point. Click to view image. Two of the ESI’s five indicators decreased during this period. Confidence in the overall U.S. economy decreased the… Continue reading Economic sentiment decreases following interest rate cut

The latest biweekly reading of the Penta-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) fell sharply by 2.2 points, from 34.7 to 32.5, ahead of the September meeting of the Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC).  Click to view image. All five of the ESI’s indicators decreased during this period. Confidence in buying a new home decreased the most,… Continue reading Economic sentiment collapses ahead of the September Fed meeting

The latest biweekly reading of the Penta-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) increased by 1.6 points from 33.1 to 34.7, driven upwards by a surge in confidence in the overall U.S. economy. Click to view image. All five of the ESI’s indicators increased during this period. Confidence in the overall U.S. economy increased the most, climbing… Continue reading Economic sentiment rises as the Fed signals future rate cuts

The latest biweekly reading of the Penta-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) decreased by 1.2 points from 34.3 to 33.1 during a two-week period marked by escalating U.S. tariff rates and softening economic indicators.  Click to view image. Four of the ESI’s five indicators decreased during this period. Confidence in finding a new job decreased the… Continue reading Economic sentiment falls sharply as “reciprocal” tariffs take effect

The latest biweekly reading of the Penta-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) decreased by 0.1 points from 34.4 to 34.3. This decrease was driven by a decline in confidence in the U.S. economy, which experienced its largest fall since February 2025. Click to view image. Two of the ESI’s five indicators decreased during this period. Confidence… Continue reading Economic sentiment slightly decreases ahead of the August 1 tariff deadline

The latest biweekly reading of the Penta-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) increased by 1.0 points from 33.4 to 34.4, recovering after three consecutive periods of declines. Click to view image. Four of the ESI’s five indicators increased during this period. Confidence in making a major purchase increased the most, rising 2.1 points to 26.3. —Confidence… Continue reading Economic sentiment picks up after three consecutive drops