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Tag Archives: Confidence

Builder Confidence Improves for Third Month

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported on Monday a two-point increase in its Housing Market Index, a gauge of builder sentiment measuring current single-family new home sales, expected sales six months out, and volume of traffic from prospective homebuyers. As of August, the index measured 55, five points above the benchmark separating a market largely viewed as poor from one viewed as good.

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Consumer Confidence Hits Post-Recession High

The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index reached 90.9 in the group's July survey, up from 86.4 in June. As of July, the index stands at its highest level since before the Great Recession. Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at the Conference Board, said the surge was fueled by strong job growth and a brighter short-term outlook for the labor market and personal incomes.

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Large Lenders Loosen Credit Standards, Small Lenders Tighten Up

Credit standards at large lenders appear to be loosening somewhat, while criteria at small and mid-sized lenders appear to be tightening, according to a new survey from Fannie Mae. Lenders that reported tightening credit standards most often stated "changing regulatory requirements" as the rationale for their stricter standards.

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Consumer Sentiment Slips in First July Reading

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment measured 81.3 in its first July reading, falling more than a point from its final June reading of 82.5. Analysts surveyed before Friday's release had predicted the index would climb up slightly to 83.

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Builder Confidence Hits Six-Month High

The National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Housing Market Index (HMI) registered a score of 53 in the group's July survey, increasing four points from June. "This is the first time that builder confidence has been above 50 since January and an important sign that it is strengthening as pent-up demand brings more buyers into the marketplace," said NAHB Chair Kevin Kelly.

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Consumer Spending Sinks in June

In a survey of nearly 15,000 U.S. adults, Gallup found the daily amount spent by Americans was an average $91, down from a six-year high of $98 the month prior and about level with last year. The June record for average daily spending is $104, achieved in 2008. Gallup writer Rebecca Riffkin said June's average "suggests a mixed bag for the economy."

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Consumers Confident for the Moment, But Glum About Future

A notable drop in gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter—the largest decline since 2009, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis—did not appear to shake consumer confidence, according to the June Survey of Consumers from Thomson Reuters and the University of Michigan. While GDP fell 2.9 percent in the first quarter, the June sentiment survey actually showed slight improvement over the month with a gain of 0.7 percent.

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Consumer Confidence Continues to Increase in June

Consumers are continuing to progress on the long journey toward restoring their faith in the American economy, according to a monthly Consumer Confidence Index report released by the Conference Board. The index, one of the leading predictors of economic growth in all sectors of the economy, now stands at 85.2, up from 82.2 in May. The largely positive findings could indicate that consumers are more ready to commit to larger, longer-term purchases.

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Builder Sentiment Picks Up to Five-Month High

The National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Housing Market Index (HMI), released Monday in collaboration with Wells Fargo, registered 49 this month, up from 45 in May. A value below 50 indicates more builders view market conditions as "poor" rather than "good." Despite falling one point short of the benchmark, the moderate uptick in sentiment "is a welcome sign and shows some renewed confidence in the industry," said NAHB chairman Kevin Kelly.

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