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  • Deloitte: Consumer spending flat in February

    New York -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index remained flat in February 2014, showing only a marginal change. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.

    The Index, which comprises four components, tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices, ticked down slightly to 3.9 from 4.0 last month. Highlights of the Index include:

    Tax Burden: The tax rate stayed at 11.8%, consistent with recent months.

  • Report: Obama seeks to raise OT threshold

    Washington, D.C. – President Obama reportedly wants to raise the maximum salary threshold for overtime eligibility for salaried employees. According to Reuters, Obama has directed the Labor Department to raise the current maximum salary level of $455 per week, which covers about 12% of all hourly employees.

  • Consumer confidence edges up in February

    New York -- The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index inched up to 81.6 in February from 81.2 in January.

    "The most significant implication is not whether consumers have correctly assessed the weather's negative impact on the economy, but the resilience consumers have demonstrated in the face of the polar vortex as well as higher utility bills and minimal employment gains," said survey director Richard Curtain.

  • NRF: Tax reform proposal would boost economy

    Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation welcomed a proposal to reform the nation’s tax structure announced Wednesday by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., saying it would strengthen the economy and jobs.

  • More consumers will hold onto those tax refunds

    More Americans this year are expected to put their tax returns in the bank. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF)’s Tax Returns Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, 46% of those expecting a refund this year will put their money into savings, up from 44% last year and the highest percent in the survey’s history.

  • NRF: More consumers will save tax refunds

    Washington, D.C. - More Americans this year are expected to put their tax returns in the bank. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF)’s Tax Returns Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, 46% of those expecting a refund this year will put their money into savings, up from 44% last year and the highest percent in the survey’s history.

  • Consumer confidence rises in January

    New York -- Consumer confidence increased in January for the second consecutive month, rising to 80.7 from 77.5 in December, according to The Conference Board. Economists had expected a smaller increase, to 79. It was the second consecutive increase.

  • Consumers will spend cautiously, seek value in 2014

    San Francisco -- Shoppers will continue to be cautious in their spending in 2014, and they expect to make more money, save more money and afford the things they need. According to a forecast from digital coupon and discount site AnyCodes.com, this is because of a combination of three factors: consumer confidence in the future is climbing, they are focused on investing in themselves and paying off debt, and they are much confident about their job prospects.

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