The RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index in the US fell to 41.8 in May 2024, the lowest level in five months, from 43.2 in April and much worse than forecasts of 44.1. The Six-Month Economic Outlook, which measures how consumers perceive the economy’s prospects in the next six months, dropped sharply to 35.7 from 38.8. Also, Confidence in Federal Economic Policies, a measure of views on the effectiveness of government economic policies, declined sharply to 38.5 from 40.3. On the other hand, the Personal Financial Outlook, a measure of how Americans feel about their own finances in the next six months, improved slightly to 51.3 from 50.6. Optimism among investors declined (46.3 vs 54.9) but improved among non-investors (40.1 vs 36.6).
