We compare financial stress levels before and after the start of the pandemic.

IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index edges up in February. The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index, a leading national poll on consumer confidence, today revealed that consumer confidence is up for the second consecutive month.

Presidential Leadership and National Outlook Indexes fall as Financial Stress decreases

The Covid relief bill currently going through legislation needs to be holistic.

Despite the recent improvement in the job market, most American households are job sensitive.

The Dow Jones taking out 30,000, and Pfizer and Moderna vaccine trials achieving up to 95% effectiveness haven't stopped Americans' view of the U.S. economy's outlook from slipping into pessimistic territory

With relief around the corner, through the successful creation of vaccines by companies such as Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax, the issue is not whether there will be a vaccine, but rather the amount of trust and acceptance of the vaccine.

With relief around the corner, through the successful creation of vaccines, the issue is not whether there will be a vaccine, rather the amount of trust and acceptance of the vaccine.

The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index, a leading national poll on consumer confidence, today revealed that consumer confidence slipped to neutral. November’s Economic Optimism Index declined by 9.4% overall, putting it right at 50.0. For the IBD/TIPP indexes, a reading above 50 signals optimism and below 50.0 indicates pessimism. The index was in a strong position leading into November, thanks to its significant rise (22.7%) in October.

Recent IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index survey on consumer confidence in the United States reveals optimism.

The stock market staged several big daily and intraday swings in a holiday-shortened week, with the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all declining in whipsaw fashion. The Nasdaq undercut its 50-day moving average multiple times while top techs also sold off. Among upscale consumer names, RH (RH) soared on earnings, while Lululemon (LULU) tumbled and Peloton (PTON) and reversed lower despite beating views. AstraZeneca (AZN) halted a coronavirus vaccine late-stage trial after a participant became violently ill. General Motors (GM) and EV truck startup Nikola (NKLA) formed a big alliance, while Volkswagen (VWAGY) began delivering its ID.3 electric car as Tesla (TSLA) faces growing EV competition.

Americans grew more pessimistic about the U.S. economy over the past month as support for federal economic policies dived to the lowest level since President Trump was elected, the new IBD/TIPP Poll finds. The failure of the White House and Congress to approve new fiscal stimulus, resulting in a big hit to unemployment benefits, likely explains faltering confidence in the Trump economy.

LOS ANGELES -- September 8, 2020 -- The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index, a leading national poll on consumer confidence, fell 3.8% in September, moving from 46.8 last month to 45.0 this month. This marks the index’s sixth straight month in negative territory. For the IBD/TIPP indexes, a reading below 50.0 indicates pessimism.

Americans’ perceptions of economic conditions have deteriorated since April, reflecting the economic pain born by many households as a result of the coronavirus crisis, particularly in the form of widespread job and income losses, according to recent trends in the Investor’s Business Daily/TIPP Poll. However, consumer views on the economy are improving, signaling a growing sense among the public that the economy may be on the road to recovery, as the labor market continues to heal, a recent resurgence in coronavirus infections appears to slow, the stock market hits new highs, and states around the country further ease restrictions. Accordingly, as Americans slowly emerge from the economic doldrums created by COVID-19, we anticipate a gradual rebound in consumer confidence in the months ahead.

Americans are highly stressed about their finances amid the coronavirus crisis, as millions remain unemployed, additional federal relief lingers in limbo, and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases throughout the country furthers uncertainty over the pace of economic recovery, according to recent readings of the Investor’s Business Daily/TIPP Financial-Related Stress Index, a monthly measure of Americans’ views on their financial health. However, financial stress levels have steadily declined since peaking at an all-time high in April, suggesting that Americans are feeling more secure about their financial circumstances amid a rebound in hiring, a stock market rally, and generous federal assistance. Thus, as Americans slowly regain confidence in their finances, we expect consumer spending to pick up in the months ahead.

Americans’ demand for new vehicles posted its best August on record, fueled by the continued easing of coronavirus-related restrictions on travel and businesses across the country, coupled with financial support from robust federal assistance and generous incentives offered by automakers and dealerships, according to the latest reading of TechnoMetrica’s Auto Demand Index, a monthly measure of Americans’ intent to acquire new vehicles in the next six months. Thus, we expect auto sales to continue to recover from coronavirus lows in the months ahead, as consumers slowly emerge from stay-at-home orders to release their pent-up demand.

Americans' pessimism over the U.S. economy eased a bit over the past month, but near-term expectations remained bleak amid renewed coronavirus restrictions, the new IBD/TIPP Poll finds. After hitting a coronavirus crisis low at the start of July, the six-month economic outlook index rose 2.5 points to 39.8, still well below the 50 neutral level.

High unemployment has infected all regions of the U.S., likely reflecting the lingering impact of widespread shutdowns meant to limit the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, according to recent regional trends in unemployment uncovered by the Investor’s Business Daily/TIPP Poll. However, hiring is picking up across the country, especially in the Northeast and Midwest, which bore the initial brunt of the crisis but have since been successful at keeping the outbreak largely at bay. Meanwhile, the West and the South are recovering at a slower pace amid a resurgence in COVID-19 infections. This points to an uneven path to recovery for the labor market, with regions that succeed in controlling the coronavirus spread faring better than those that do not.

LOS ANGELES -- August 4, 2020 -- The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index, a leading national poll on consumer confidence, rose 6.4% in August. Its reading of 46.8 increased from 44.0 last month. The index remained in negative territory, however, for the fifth consecutive month. For the IBD/TIPP indexes, a reading below 50.0 indicates pessimism.

LOS ANGELES -- July 7, 2020 -- The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index, a leading national poll on consumer confidence, fell by 6.4% in July. The index’s reading of 44.0 has dropped nearly 10 points, or 18.37%, in the last four months. It is now at its lowest point since September 2015. This also places the index in negative territory for the fourth consecutive month. For the IBD/TIPP indexes, a reading below 50.0 indicates pessimism.