Lynn Franco Confidence 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.

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.

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.

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.

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' 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.

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.