US Economic Optimism Index Rises in January

The RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index in the US went up to 44.7 in January 2024, the highest in eight months, from 40 in December. The reading beat forecasts of 42, but remained in negative territory. The Six-Month Economic Outlook, which measures how consumers perceive the economy’s prospects in the next six months, increased to 39.3 from 34.3. The Personal Financial Outlook rose to 55 from 49.5 and has now returned to positive territory; and the Confidence in Federal Economic Policies, which measure of views on the effectiveness of government economic policies, increased to 39.8 from 36.1. Boosted by stock market gains in December, optimism among investors gained 20% to 54.9, while it rose by 5% among non-investors to 39.3.