Consumer Sentiment in U.S. Plunged in May by Most in Two Years

[marmar]

(Bloomberg) Consumer confidence unexpectedly fell in May by the most in more than two years as Americans’ views on the economy dimmed.

The University of Michigan preliminary index of sentiment dropped to 88.6, the lowest since October, from 95.9 in April. The 7.3 point decrease was the largest since December 2012. The outcome was lower than the lowest estimate of 68 economists surveyed by Bloomberg.

News that the world’s largest economy stalled last quarter shook Americans’ outlook, while the tick up in fuel costs since early March also contributed to the gloomier perceptions. While slightly lower than in the prior month, households still held relatively upbeat views on incomes, a sign spending will be sustained.

“The decline was widespread among all age and income subgroups as well as across all regions of the country,” Richard Curtin, director of the Michigan Survey of Consumers, said in a statement. “To be sure, the recent decline in consumer confidence does not indicate an incipient downturn in consumption and residential investment. Rather the data indicate a reluctant acceptance on the part of consumers that economic growth will remain near the same lackluster pace recorded during the past several years.” .............(more)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-15/consumer-sentiment-in-u-s-plunged-in-may-by-most-in-two-years