For a while now, the "soft" data (like confidence surveys) have indicated worry that times are tough.
But the "hard" data (like the unemployment rate, corporate profits, retail spending, etc) have shown that the economy is proving quite resilient.
So why the discrepancy? And which data set should we be giving more weight to?
For perspective, we're fortunate to welcome back to the program Joanne Hsu, Director of the Surveys of Consumers at the University of Michigan.
If you've ever heard of the Univ of Michigan's highly influential Indices of Consumer Sentiment, Consumer Expectations, or Current Economic Conditions -- Joanne's in charge of those.
She reports that 2025 has seen a fast erosion of confidence across almost every dimension. People are super worried right now.
Disclosure: Thoughtful Money LLC is in the application process to be a Registered Investment Advisor Solicitor. We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s ...
Disclosure: Thoughtful Money LLC is in the application process to be a Registered Investment Advisor Solicitor. We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s important to note that this content is NOT investment advice, individual or otherwise, nor should be construed as such. We recommend that most investors, especially if inexperienced, should consider benefiting from the direction and guidance of a qualified financial advisor in good standing with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) who can develop & implement a personalized financial plan based on a customer’s unique goals, needs & risk tolerance. IMPORTANT NOTE: There are risks associated with investing in securities. Investing in stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, and money market funds involve risk of loss. Loss of principal is possible. Some high risk investments may use leverage, which will accentuate gains & losses. Foreign investing involves special risks, including a greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods. A security’s or a firm’s past investment performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future investment performance.