CALDEIRÃO DE BOLSA

By Rex Nutting, CBS.MarketWatch.com
Last Update: 10:15 AM ET May 28, 2004
......
Since the final figures include responses from the entire month , the sharp decline suggests an even more severe deterioration in attitudes since the preliminary survey was released two weeks ago.

"This is disconcerting as it takes place in the midst of an environment where most other economic statistics - notably those related to the labor markets -- are showing solid improvement," said Anthony Karydakis, economist for Banc One Capital Markets. "Apparently the higher gasoline prices and the Iraq situation are taking a toll on consumer psychology."

Consumer confidence surveys measure attitudes, not behavior. Consumer spending has held up well throughout the post-Sept. 11 period, despite the depressed sentiment figures.

Earlier Friday, the Commerce Department said real consumer spending increased 0.2 percent in April as incomes grew at their fastest pace in five months. Inflationary pressures cooled a bit, with the key core inflation gauge rising just 0.1 percent in the month. See full story.

Also Friday, the Chicago purchasing managers index rose expectedly to 68.0 percent in May from 63.9 percent in April.

U.S. May final UMich sentiment falls to 90.2

WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- U.S. consumer sentiment dropped in late May, according to media reports of proprietary research at the University of Michigan.
The final May UMich consumer sentiment index fell to 90.2 from 94.2 in April and 94.2 in early May.
Economists were expecting an increase to about 93.7 in late May.
The current conditions index fell to 103.6 from 105.0 in April and 107.2 in early May.
The expectations index fell to 81.6 in late May from 87.3 in April and 85.8 in early May.
Consumers have been hit with higher energy prices and rumblings about terrorism even as the U.S. economy improves.

9:47am 05/28/04 U.S. MAY UMICH CONSUMER SENTIMENT 90.2 V. 94.2 APRIL

9:48am 05/28/04 UMICH MAY FINAL CURRENT CONDITIONS 103.6 VS. 105.0 APR.

9:49am 05/28/04 U.S. MAY UMICH EXPECTATIONS 81.6 VS. 87.3 APRIL

mais a seguir