• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
MENUMENU
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • FlaglerLive Board of Directors
    • Comment Policy
    • Mission Statement
    • Our Values
    • Privacy Policy
  • Live Calendar
  • Submit Obituary
  • Submit an Event
  • Support FlaglerLive
  • Advertise on FlaglerLive (386) 503-3808
  • Search Results

FlaglerLive

No Bull, no Fluff, No Smudges

MENUMENU
  • Flagler
    • Flagler County Commission
    • Beverly Beach
    • Economic Development Council
    • Flagler History
    • Mondex/Daytona North
    • The Hammock
    • Tourist Development Council
  • Palm Coast
    • Palm Coast City Council
    • Palm Coast Crime
  • Bunnell
    • Bunnell City Commission
    • Bunnell Crime
  • Flagler Beach
    • Flagler Beach City Commission
    • Flagler Beach Crime
  • Cops/Courts
    • Circuit & County Court
    • Florida Supreme Court
    • Federal Courts
    • Flagler 911
    • Fire House
    • Flagler County Sheriff
    • Flagler Jail Bookings
    • Traffic Accidents
  • Rights & Liberties
    • Fourth Amendment
    • First Amendment
    • Privacy
    • Second Amendment
    • Seventh Amendment
    • Sixth Amendment
    • Sunshine Law
    • Third Amendment
    • Religion & Beliefs
    • Human Rights
    • Immigration
    • Labor Rights
    • 14th Amendment
    • Civil Rights
  • Schools
    • Adult Education
    • Belle Terre Elementary
    • Buddy Taylor Middle
    • Bunnell Elementary
    • Charter Schools
    • Daytona State College
    • Flagler County School Board
    • Flagler Palm Coast High School
    • Higher Education
    • Imagine School
    • Indian Trails Middle
    • Matanzas High School
    • Old Kings Elementary
    • Rymfire Elementary
    • Stetson University
    • Wadsworth Elementary
    • University of Florida/Florida State
  • Economy
    • Jobs & Unemployment
    • Business & Economy
    • Development & Sprawl
    • Leisure & Tourism
    • Local Business
    • Local Media
    • Real Estate & Development
    • Taxes
  • Commentary
    • The Conversation
    • Pierre Tristam
    • Diane Roberts
    • Guest Columns
    • Byblos
    • Editor's Blog
  • Culture
    • African American Cultural Society
    • Arts in Palm Coast & Flagler
    • Books
    • City Repertory Theatre
    • Flagler Auditorium
    • Flagler Playhouse
    • Flagler Youth Orchestra
    • Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra
    • Palm Coast Arts Foundation
    • Special Events
  • Elections 2024
    • Amendments and Referendums
    • Presidential Election
    • Campaign Finance
    • City Elections
    • Congressional
    • Constitutionals
    • Courts
    • Governor
    • Polls
    • Voting Rights
  • Florida
    • Federal Politics
    • Florida History
    • Florida Legislature
    • Florida Legislature
    • Ron DeSantis
  • Health & Society
    • Flagler County Health Department
    • Ask the Doctor Column
    • Health Care
    • Health Care Business
    • Covid-19
    • Children and Families
    • Medicaid and Medicare
    • Mental Health
    • Poverty
    • Violence
  • All Else
    • Daily Briefing
    • Americana
    • Obituaries
    • News Briefs
    • Weather and Climate
    • Wildlife

Floridians’ Consumer Confidence Hits Post-Recession High as Personal Finances Improve

June 26, 2013 | FlaglerLive | Leave a Comment

(Bureau of Economic and Business Research)
(Bureau of Economic and Business Research)

Consumer optimism among Floridians rose to a post-recession high in June to 82, a one point increase from May, according to the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research, which conducts the monthly survey.

Four of the five components that make up the index rose while one stayed the same. Perceptions of personal finances now compared to a year ago rose three points to 70 while expectations of personal finances a year from now stayed flat at 82. Expectations of U.S. economic conditions over the next year rose two points to 83 while expectations of U.S. economic conditions over the next five years rose a point to 83. Perceptions as to whether it is a good time to buy big-ticket items such as a car or large appliance rose two points to 93.

The index is rising as unemployment has been falling steadily in the state (and in Flagler County), the latest figures in May notwithstanding.

“The increase in our index for June is so far led by a relatively large increase in perceptions of personal finances,” Chris McCarty, the survey director, said. “There are several reasons for this increase, but the stock market gains for the first part of June certainly played a role in that. As we continue to collect interviews through the rest of the month the index will almost certainly be lower when it is revised. It’s worth noting that perceptions of current buying conditions are at a post-recession high of 93. The last time it reached this level was April of 2007 when it was 97. This was the beginning of the collapse in the housing market.”


As of this writing economic conditions in Florida were still improving. The unemployment rate for May was 7.1 percent compared to 7.6 percent for the U.S. The labor force also increased meaning the decline was due to an increase in jobs rather than a decline in the denominator. Housing prices continued to rise in Florida, reaching a median price of $171,000 for an existing single family home. The last time housing prices were that high in Florida was September 2008. The stock market had been maintaining near record highs for much of June before falling in the past week.

“For now consumers are still not registering any fears about the effects of sequestration,” said McCarty. “Most are concerned by the possibility of a rise in interest rates as the Federal Reserve signaled it may reduce its intervention, specifically by reducing the amount of Treasury bonds and mortgage backed securities it purchases totaling $85 billion each month. Concern over this move is likely over-stated for two reasons. First, the Fed is unlikely to reduce the purchases to zero but will likely gradually reduce the effort. If the economy shows signs of weakness the Fed will resume the intervention. It is also worth noting that conditions are not the same as they were in 2008 when quantitative easing began. While the housing market is certainly helped by lower interest rates, there had been a low rate of building and an increase in population, leading to pent up demand. Housing prices may decline from their recent highs, but the underlying quality of loans is now very different from 2008. Recent buyers have good credit scores and typically put 20 percent down on their homes. This means that we will not see the massive foreclosures that led to the last recession. The Fed has seen the economy through dangerous economic times, but the economy is now operating normally. There was nothing normal about 2008.”

Support FlaglerLive's End of Year Fundraiser
Thank you readers for getting us to--and past--our year-end fund-raising goal yet again. It’s a bracing way to mark our 15th year at FlaglerLive. Our donors are just a fraction of the 25,000 readers who seek us out for the best-reported, most timely, trustworthy, and independent local news site anywhere, without paywall. FlaglerLive is free. Fighting misinformation and keeping democracy in the sunshine 365/7/24 isn’t free. Take a brief moment, become a champion of fearless, enlightening journalism. Any amount helps. We’re a 501(c)(3) non-profit news organization. Donations are tax deductible.  
You may donate openly or anonymously.
We like Zeffy (no fees), but if you prefer to use PayPal, click here.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Conner Bosch law attorneys lawyers offices palm coast flagler county
  • grand living realty
  • politis matovina attorneys for justice personal injury law auto truck accidents

Primary Sidebar

  • grand living realty
  • politis matovina attorneys for justice personal injury law auto truck accidents

Recent Comments

  • Ray W, on The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
  • Ray on Reversing Planning Board’s Decision, Palm Coast Council Approves 100,000-Sq.-Ft. Storage Facility on Pine Lakes Pkwy
  • Steve on Flagler Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord Warns of a Different Disaster Ahead: the Vanishing of FEMA Money
  • Mike on Reversing Planning Board’s Decision, Palm Coast Council Approves 100,000-Sq.-Ft. Storage Facility on Pine Lakes Pkwy
  • Sherry on The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, May 18, 2025
  • polysci on Reversing Planning Board’s Decision, Palm Coast Council Approves 100,000-Sq.-Ft. Storage Facility on Pine Lakes Pkwy
  • JimboXYZ on Reversing Planning Board’s Decision, Palm Coast Council Approves 100,000-Sq.-Ft. Storage Facility on Pine Lakes Pkwy
  • Fernando Melendez on Palm Coast Council’s Charles Gambaro Calls Norris Lawsuit Against Him ‘Frivolous’ and Mayor’s Conduct an ‘Abdication’
  • Dennis C Rathsam on Flagler Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord Warns of a Different Disaster Ahead: the Vanishing of FEMA Money
  • JimboXYZ on Flagler Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord Warns of a Different Disaster Ahead: the Vanishing of FEMA Money
  • JimboXYZ on Marineland Mayor Gary Inks Dies at 79; Had Led Career in Resort and Dolphin Attraction Marketing
  • Shark on Flagler Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord Warns of a Different Disaster Ahead: the Vanishing of FEMA Money
  • Atwp on Flagler Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord Warns of a Different Disaster Ahead: the Vanishing of FEMA Money
  • ric Santo on Flagler Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord Warns of a Different Disaster Ahead: the Vanishing of FEMA Money
  • Sherry on The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
  • The dude on Here’s What Makes the Most Dynamic and Sustainable Cities

Log in