28 Quotes by Richard Curtin

Consumers have become increasingly pessimistic about their future income and job prospects, and as a result will continue to slow the pace of their spending during months ahead.

Consumers came upon this view (of a slowdown) on their own in late November, when Bush and Cheney were talking about counting votes, not the economy. But now to hear it confirmed by such people tends to reinforce the view there is a slowdown. It hasn't helped.

Consumers anticipated that higher interest rates will ultimately slow the overall pace of economic growth.

On average, consumers have anticipated changes in the unemployment rate three quarters in advance of the actual change.

High gas prices had a devastating impact on consumers' budgets and caused consumers to expect a worsening financial situation during the year ahead.

The growth slowdown anticipated by consumers is very mild, but just enough to result in smaller job gains and a somewhat higher unemployment rate during 2006.

Although firms did expect a slightly slower pace of growth, they still judge overall economic conditions quite favorable.

The gap in how low- and high-income households view their current finances and future prospects is the widest in two decades. It's an unusual circumstance.

The last time consumer confidence declined a comparable extent was prior to the recessions in 1990 and 1980.