Lynn Franco Quotations

With unemployment at a 30-year low and the short-term Conference Board forecast projecting favorable labor market conditions, confidence is expected to remain strong through the summer. Volatile financial markets and interest rate hikes are not expected to have a significant impact.

Much of the decline in confidence over the past two months can be attributed to the recent hurricanes, (gas) pump shock and a weakening labor market.

more positive levels by year-end or early 2006.

CEO confidence has slipped considerably over the past two quarters, as both current conditions and expectations have softened,

Barring an unforeseen shock, we would expect consumer confidence to continue to hover around current levels, indicating continued economic growth.

Growing optimism about the overall health of the economy continues to bolster consumers' short-term outlook. But consumers' assessment of current conditions, which strongly hinges on improvements in the labor market, remains both weak and volatile.

Whatever stock market effect we've had probably was felt in the present conditions index, but the overall index remains strong, ... The boost in optimism, coupled with tax refunds, should continue to fuel spending.

We think a lot of that is reaction to the spike in prices at the pump following Katrina.

Historically, shocks have had a short-term impact on consumer confidence, especially on consumers' expectations.

I think what we're seeing here, ... is that wages, overall, have always been seen as being at the low end of the totem pole. People are never quite satisfied with their wages. We don't find many folks who say they're overpaid.

Recent turmoil on Wall Street and in worldwide financial markets, along with continuing layoff announcements, have not dampened consumer confidence,

Looking ahead, the CEOs are cautiously optimistic but not as optimistic about the short-term outlook as they were at the end of 2004.

Widespread layoffs and rising unemployment do not signal a rebound in confidence anytime soon, ... With the holiday season quickly approaching, there is little positive stimuli on the horizon.

While the economy has not turned around yet, the worst may well be over. The upturn in confidence is being driven by growing confidence about the business outlook and job prospects. Consumer expectations for the future are now higher than they have been in more than a year.

We're a little more positive about the outlook of the holiday shopping season than we were in October.

While overall confidence remains relatively positive, the latest reading reflects growing concerns that U.S. economic growth may be slowing down. And, while the outlook for corporate profits remains optimistic, rising interest rates and oil prices may curb business leaders' projections.

While nearly 90 percent of consumers say they will not cut back on their buying plans, it's important to note that this figure is very likely to fall as widespread layoffs begin to materialize,

We've noticed that with the 24-7 electronic-technological boom over the last several years, things have really accelerated. The pace of change, the learning curve on the job -- we're seeing some of that stress spill over and have a negative effect on employee attitudes.

While the purchasing intentions of consumers have not changed and remain quite upbeat, it remains to be seen whether these current attitudes translate into actual purchases.

While the latest signals suggest that U.S. economic activity should decelerate in coming months, consumers are not expecting this record-breaking economic expansion to end any time soon.

While the Index remains below its pre-Katrina levels, the shock of the hurricanes and subsequent leap in gas prices has begun wearing off just in time for the holiday season. Despite this latest boost in confidence, holiday spending will be driven by the bargains consumers have come to expect.

As the economic ramifications of Sept. 11 continue to reverberate in the coming weeks and months, and the number of layoffs continues to rise, the economy faces tougher times ahead. While consumers have managed to keep the U.S. out of a recession for several years now, that soon may no longer be the case.

Consumers' upbeat mood about current business and labor conditions underscores the economy's continuing recovery, but the latest retreat in expectations suggest that the pace of economic growth will not accelerate in the months ahead,

The resiliency of the economy, recent declines in prices at the pump and job growth have consumers feeling more confident at year-end than they felt at the start of 2005.

The shock of the hurricanes and subsequent leap in gas prices has begun wearing off just in time for the holiday season.

The sharp drop in short-term expectations in January is more likely due to international circumstances than domestic instabilities,

The sluggish economy, declining consumer confidence, widespread layoffs and the tragic events of Sept. 11 appear likely to hold down holiday spending as we head into the final five weeks of the year, ... But retail outlets offering the price-conscious consumer a good buy may fare better than projected.

The swift outcome in the Middle East has helped quell consumers' short-term concerns. While an increase of this magnitude occurred after the Persian Gulf War in 1991, this post-war surge differs in that both components of the index posted gains.

The tight labor market and continue optimism about jobs is clearly keeping consumer spirits high.

A decline of more than 40 cents in gasoline prices this month and the improving job outlook have combined to help restore consumers' confidence.

A decline of more than 40 cents (a gallon) in gasoline prices this month and the improving job outlook have combined to help restore consumers' confidence.

Despite sluggish economic conditions and almost non-stop layoff announcements, consumers are cautiously optimistic that the economy will rebound later this year,

Despite this latest boost in confidence, holiday spending will be driven by the bargains consumers have come to expect.

This degree of pessimism, in conjunction with the anticipation of much higher home heating bills this winter, may take some cheer out of the upcoming holiday season, ... In order to avoid a blue Christmas, retailers will need to lure shoppers with sales and discounts.

There's been an increase in any pampering -- like spas, or any treatment that would be considered a luxury,

As rebuilding efforts take hold and job growth gains momentum, consumers' confidence should rebound and return to more positive levels by year-end or early 2006.

The nine-point drop in consumer confidence over the last two months underscores an anxiety about future economic conditions.

Consumers' short-term optimism is no longer at recession levels, and the upward trend signals that the economy may be close to bottoming out and that a rebound by mid-2002 is likely,

Consumers continue to rate current conditions quite positively, but they're still tentative about the outlook.

Consumers' confidence has been bolstered by the improvement in business and labor market conditions, ... The latest gains are striking. This new boom in confidence should translate into increased consumer spending and stronger economic growth ahead.

Consumers appear to have less Christmas spirit heading into Thanksgiving this year than last year,

Consumers appear to be weathering the steady rise in gas prices quite well,

Consumer confidence readings continue to indicate a strong overall economy. Consumers are not only optimistic about current conditions, but their expectations for the next six months signal continued low unemployment and minimal inflationary pressures.

Consumer confidence continues to bounce back and is now at its highest level since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast.

The lack of improvement in labor market conditions continues to dampen consumers' spirits, ... Despite September's retreat, consumers remain cautiously optimistic about the outlook for the next six months. Consumer spending is likely to continue at or near current levels.

The continued decline in the Present Situation Index suggests that consumers would tend to curb their spending in the absence of offsetting incentives, ... a significant deterioration in consumer attitudes.

Higher prices are driving more shoppers to the Internet instead of to the mall and changing the way consumers are doing their holiday shopping this year.

Hikes in interest rates, severe drought conditions in the Northeast, and rising gasoline prices have helped dampen overall consumer optimism.

The improvement in the present situation Index, especially in the jobs component, suggests that consumers believe a slow but sure labor market turnaround is underway. The rise in expectations is a signal that consumers will end this year much more upbeat than when the year began.

The economic outlook is becoming increasingly pessimistic, with consumer sentiment continuing to fall.

The level of optimism does not suggest a dramatic acceleration in economic growth during the first half of 2003.