Consumer

The Inexplicable American Consumer Strikes Again

by Wolf Richter •  • Comments Off on The Inexplicable American Consumer Strikes Again

Consumer confidence indices have collapsed to levels not seen in years or even decades. Yet the toughest creature out there that no one has yet been able to beat down struck again. Consumer spending increased at an annual rate of 2.4% during the third quarter, though the mood has become outright morose since.

The inexplicable American Consumer

by Wolf Richter •  • Comments Off on The inexplicable American Consumer

Consumer confidence fell off a cliff and hit levels not seen since April 2009, and yet, consumers spent with abandon and made up the difference by piling on debt, at least for now. What gives?