U.S. Michigan Consumer Sentiment Drops to 69.6 This Month
By Courtney Schlisserman
Feb. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Confidence among U.S. consumers fell more than expected this month, reaching a 16-year low, as the labor market cooled.
The Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment decreased to 69.6 from 78.4 in January, the lowest since February 1992.
The first drop in employment in more than four years and higher gasoline prices are causing Americans to take a dimmer view of the economy and their financial situation. That may reduce consumer spending, which has already has slowed in recent months.
The first chart compares the SP 500 and Michigan Consumer Sentiment. There is a pronounced divergence between the stock market and Consumer Sentiment.
The second chart adds the SP 500 as deflated by gold, which shows a remarkable coincidence with the Consumer Sentiment.
One can only wonder.
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. And the name of the lawless one will be revealed. Not everyone who calls to me saying, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the ones who do the will of my Father. Many will say, ‘Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you servants of lawlessness.'
Matthew 7:21-23