It is
quite clear the US economy is sliding back towards recession, if not still in
it. The average consumer understands that, yet the average economist doesn't.
How is it that the average consumer has a better grip on the economy that the
average economist? Regardless of the answer, here are some interesting survey
results from Americans Fear
"Double Dip" Recession & European Financial Problems.
·
92% say the US is still in recession
·
65% fear a ‘double dip’
recession
·
57% are fearful about running out of money in the next
year
·
44% could easily see their family slipping into
bankruptcy if things get worse
·
42% say they will spend less money than they did
over the last 3 months, while just 10% will spend more. 48% report their personal spending will likely stay
even
·
09% say the US is in a 1930s style economic
depression
·
72% say Europe’s financial problems likely to
hurt US
·
42% say that they or their spouse has had wages or
salary reduced
·
34% say they or their spouse lost their job or has
been laid off
·
33% have taken on more hours or another job to try
and make ends meet
·
28% dipped into a planned retirement account like an
IRA or 401K because they needed the money
·
09% have had their house foreclosed on
·
08% had their child delay college (or graduate
school) or drop out to save money
·
20% expect their personal finances will recover by
the end of 2011, 27% say after the end of 2011, 24% say their personal
finances won’t ever fully recover
“Attitudes towards the current economic climate should be very
concerning for those who sell consumers goods and services. The perception
that the economy is likely slowing down again is leading consumers to tighten
their belts and keep their wallets and purses closed. Consumer marketers will
need to figure out how to best dial up the perceived value of what they are
selling in order to stay on track”, said Bradley Honan of StrategyOne.
For a discussion of whether or not the recession has ended, please see NBER Likely to say "Recession Ended" July 2009; Assessing
the Real Time Probability US Back in Recession
At this juncture, the debate as to whether the recession has ended or not is
actually moot. The pertinent factor is: If there was a recovery, it now seems
over.
Looking ahead, attitudes rule. With consumer spending weak and weakening, and
now that the stimulus has run its course, the odds the 3rd and/or 4th quarter
GDP numbers will be negative are quite high, as are the odds of double digit
unemployment numbers by the end of the year.
Mish
GlobalEconomicAnalysis.blogspot.com
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Mish's
Global Economic Trend Analysis
Thoughts on the great
inflation/deflation/stagflation debate as well as discussions on gold,
silver, currencies, interest rates, and policy decisions that affect the
global markets.
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