consumer confidence

We speak to Frank Newport, editor-in-chief at Gallup, about whether Americans want the payroll tax extended, and what the controversy in Washington could do to consumer confidence.

In a year when lawmakers barely averted a federal shutdown and a default on its debts, Congress is poised to spread more uncertainty on an economy already suffering from a consumer confidence crisis.

Americans are now as pessimistic about the U.S. economy as they were in the middle of the Great Recession.

Consumer confidence surpassed expectations and hit a three-year high in February, in the latest ray of hope for an economic recovery, a business research group said Tuesday.

Consumer confidence took an unexpected step backward in December, with Americans more concerned about the overall economy and the jobs forecast, according to an index issued Tuesday.

Optimism about the U.S. economy grew in November, pushing the latest reading on consumer sentiment to the highest level since June -- ahead of the holiday shopping period.

Uncertainty about the economy continued to shake consumer confidence in July, pushing a key measure of morale to the lowest level since February.

On the heels of yesterday's worrisome report on consumer confidence, the president made his way to Racine, Wisconsin this morning.

Marketplace's senior business correspondent, Bob Moon reports.

A key measure of consumer confidence climbed for a third straight month in May, a research group said Tuesday, with the outlook for the next few months spiking to pre-recession levels.

Consumer confidence is up, and the upcoming jobs report is expected to be the most positive in many months. But the housing picture is still mixed, so are we on the recovery expressway?

Jeremy Hobson reports.