Econoday Economic Report: Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index May 17, 2012

2012 Economic Calendar

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Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index

Released On 5/17/2012 9:45:00 AM For May, 2012

	Prior	Actual
Level	-40.4	-43.6

Highlights
Consumer confidence dropped last week to the lowest level since the end of January as slower U.S. job growth contributed to pessimism about personal finances and spending.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index fell in the week ended May 13 to minus 43.6 from minus 40.4 in the previous period.

All three of the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index's components declined last week. The gauge of personal finances fell to minus 12.9, the fourth straight drop and the weakest reading since November, from minus 11.2 in the prior week. A measure of whether consumers consider it a good or bad time to buy decreased to minus 48.2, a three-month low, from minus 45.8. Americans' views on the state of the economy fell to a 10-week low of minus 69.6 from minus 64.2.

Definition
The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index is a weekly, random-sample survey tracking Americans' views on the condition of the U.S. economy, their personal finances and the buying climate. The survey was formerly sponsored by ABC News since 1985. Why Investors Care

The Consumer Comfort Index is a composite of three components: consumer views on 1) the state of economy, 2) personal finances & 3) whether it is a good time to buy needed goods and services. Net positive responses to: state of economy, personal finances & good time to buy needed goods/services.
Data Source: Haver Analytics