Feb 2012 Consumer Sentiment

Turning to the original 5 questions in the consumer sentiment survey we again see the 7 rivers region data mirrors the national data. The overall sentiment index increased from 66.2 to 94.4, and the gains appear to have come – almost equally – through both the current conditions index and the consumer expectations. 

Consumer Sentiment Fall 2011

The first week of August I distributed via email the semi-annual consumer sentiment survey to 1466 past participants in programs related to the Seven Rivers region. I received 324 responses for an overall response rate of 22.1%. The graph and table below clearly show the precipitous drop off in both the regional and national indices. The overall consumer sentiment fell from 80.5 in early April to 66.2 in August, while the national index declined from 68.2 to 54.9. the decline can likely be attributed to recent weak economic data and the uncertainty created by the debt ceiling debate. The table below provides all the data since the inception of the regional survey. Although unlike the national index, we have not fallen below the February 2009 lows.

Consumer Sentiment Spring 2011

The first week of April I distributed via email the semi-annual consumer sentiment survey to 1466 past participants in programs related to the Seven Rivers region. I received 353 responses for an overall response rate of 24.1%. The table below provides all the data since the inception of the regional survey. We see from August of 2010 to April 2011 the regional overall consumer sentiment index increased slightly from 79.0 to 80.5 overall, while the national index fell slightly over the same period. The Expectations sub index has turned mildly more optimistic rising to 75.5 from 70.9, while the national expectations index over the same period actually fell.

Consumer Sentiment: Fall 2010

The August 2010 data is below. We can see the Seven Rivers Region consumer sentiment index fell slightly from 79.2 to 79.0 while the national index fell more significantly from 73.7 to 69.6. The April 2011 data will be released at the Economics Indicators Breakfast May 4th.

Dating the Recession

I was asked by the local newspaper to comment on the recession. Has the recovery begun locally? The article is here, and my thoughts are here.

Wisconsin 2010-2011 General Fund Appropriations

This is data from Table 10 from Act 28.

This link which takes you to the "Many Eyes" website in order to have a bit more room to play around with it.

Metrics

The state has produced some metrics for the seven rivers region. Available here.