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Economy in Brief

U.S. Consumer Sentiment Moderates
by Tom Moeller  April 13, 2012

The University of Michigan's Index of Consumer Sentiment for mid-April slipped to 75.7 from 76.2 in March. The figure compared to expectations for a rise to 77.0. The reading of current economic conditions fell to 80.6 which was its lowest since December. The consumer expectation figure rose to 72.5, its highest since September 2009. During the last ten years there has been a 60% correlation between the level of sentiment and the three-month change in real personal consumption expenditures.

The Reuters/University of Michigan survey data are not seasonally adjusted. The readings are based on telephone interviews with just- over 300 households. Data are in Haver's USECON database. The expectations figure is from Action Economics and is found in Haver's AS1REPNA database.

The Fed's latest Beige Book covering regional economic conditions is available here.

University of Michigan
(Q1'66 = 100)		 Mid-Apr Mar Feb Apr
Y/Y %		 2011 2010 2009
Consumer Sentiment 75.7 76.2 75.3 8.5 67.3 71.8 66.3
 Current Economic Conditions 80.6 86.0 83.0 -2.3 79.1 80.9 69.6
 Consumer Expectations 72.5 69.8 70.3 17.7 59.8 66.0 64.1
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