Category: Information and Insights

Heading into spring, the HPS-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) inched upwards over the past two weeks. The Index rose 0.4 points from 49.6 to 50. This increase comes on the heels of a two-month drop from 53.3 to 49.6 and was driven by increases in confidence in making a major purchase and in personal finances. At… Continue reading Confidence Ticks Up As Consumers Bid Winter Adieu

The decline in the HPS-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) slowed after three consecutive drops, falling only 0.3 points from 49.9 to 49.6. In total, economic sentiment has dropped 3.1 points from the start of the year. Even with this sharp decline at the start of the year, the ESI remains well above last year’s average. The… Continue reading Decline In Consumer Confidence Slows

The HPS-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) dropped for the third straight two-week period, falling 1.3 points from 51.2 to 49.9. This recent dip erases much of the gains experienced in December and is echoed by a similar drop in the Michigan survey. At the same time, this dip comes off of the heels of a… Continue reading Consumer Confidence Falls Again But Remains Above 2014 Trend

For the second straight two-week period, the HPS-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) dipped slightly from 52.8 to 51.2, a drop of 1.6 points. This January slide parallels a similar drop last year when the ESI fell from 44.5 to 42.6, suggesting a possible seasonal fluctuation. Additionally, the boost from falling oil prices may have leveled off.… Continue reading Consumer Confidence Takes Another Post-Holiday Dip

Following a sharp climb throughout December and the beginning of January, the HPS-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) dipped slightly from 53.3 to 52.8 over the last two weeks. The dip occurred on the heels of a strong growth period when the ESI jumped from 47.6 to 53.3. This time last year saw declines suggesting potential seasonal… Continue reading Consumer Confidence Dips Slightly

Consumer confidence continued its rise, albeit at a slower pace than December, with the HPS-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) increasing 0.4 points to 53.3. In particular, consumer confidence in making a major purchase increased sharply over the past two weeks on the heels of continued positive reports on the American economy. At 53.3, the ESI is… Continue reading Consumers Increasingly Confident And Appear More Willing To Spend

Consumer confidence continues to surge as 2014 winds to a close, jumping 2.5 points to 52.9 during the past two weeks, according to the latest data from the HPS-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index. With strong jobs and GDP reports, declining oil prices, and the Dow closing above 18,000, consumer confidence has turned optimistic with confidence remaining above the 50-point… Continue reading Consumer Confidence Surging As Year Ends

Consumers turned more optimistic over the past two weeks with confidence soaring above 50, nearly a three point jump. This is the highest the HPS-Civic Science Index has reported over the past two years, passing the previous high from May 2013 of 49.3. The recent gains coincide with the drop in oil prices, which were… Continue reading Consumers Turn More Optimistic As Confidence Soars Above 50

Consumer confidence dropped nearly two points, from 49.2 to 47.5, following a surge in the HPS-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) two weeks ago. Notably, the price of oil dropped below $70 a barrel at the start of the week in the wake of OPEC’s announcement that it will maintain current production levels. The sudden drop in… Continue reading Consumer Confidence Dips, But Falling Oil Prices Expected To Boost Confidence

For the second week in a row, the HPS-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index surged upward due to a 4.3 point rise in confidence in the national economy. In the last two weeks of October, consumer confidence surged up nearly two points to 48.3, and over the past two weeks it continued to increase by nearly a point to… Continue reading Consumer Confidence In The National Economy Spikes