Consumer Sentiment Rose 4.0% in Early December

Ann Arbor, MI, December 9, 2022-Consumer sentiment rose 4.0% to 59.1 in early December, according to preliminary results from the University of Michigan Survey of Consumers.

This represents a 16.3% decline year over year. 

“Consumer sentiment rose 4% above November, recovering most of the losses from November but remaining low from a historical perspective,” says Survey of Consumers director, Joanne Hsu. “All components of the index lifted, with one-year business conditions surging 14% and long-term business conditions increasing a more modest 6%. Gains in the sentiment index were seen across multiple demographic groups, with particularly large increases for higher-income families and those with larger stock holdings, supported by recent rises in financial markets. Sentiment for Democrats and Independents rose 12% and 7%, respectively, while for Republicans it fell 6%. Throughout the survey, concerns over high prices-which remain high relative to just prior to this current inflationary episode-have eased modestly. 

“Year-ahead inflation expectations improved considerably but remained relatively high, falling from 4.9% to 4.6% in December, the lowest reading in 15 months but still well above 2 years ago. Declines in short-run inflation expectations were visible across the distribution of age, income, education, as well as political party identification. At 3.0%, long run inflation expectations has stayed within the narrow (albeit elevated) 2.9-3.1% range for 16 of the last 17 months.”