Aug 30, 2011

Don't Believe the Doom & Gloom


















The BEA reported today that real consumer spending increased in July to $9.428 trillion (2005 dollars), setting a new monthly record (see chart above).  Consumer spending in July increased by 0.46% from June, and by 2.3% from a year ago.  That was the highest monthly increase in consumer spending since December 2009, 19 months ago.  By major product type, the largest increase in July was the 2% jump in spending by consumers on durable goods.

In comparison to the cyclical peak in December 2007 when the recession started, real consumer spending in July was 1.1% and $100.4 billion above that pre-recession level.  Despite low readings for consumer confidence based on survey data, the spending data tell a different story: consumer spending is coming back strong to new record levels almost every month.  

4 comments:

  1. I wonder how long till the Bachmann-Perry's spin this as a GOP success.

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  2. I wish I was smart enought to understand national and international finances. the retires budget sometimes out foxes me. hahaha
    Thanks for the post!!!!

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  3. The problem is that the President good press can't outshout the Repugs noise making machines..!

    ReplyDelete

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