Downturn in Economic Optimism Is Not Affecting Americans’ Holiday Spending Plans

Our fourth-quarter All-America Economic Survey for CNBC finds mixed messages on the economy.  There has been a significant drop-off since last quarter in the proportion of Americans who say the economy is in good shape, paired with reduced optimism about how the country’s economy will do over the next 12 months.  The survey finds that the huge volatility in the stock market has many people spooked.  At the same time, we recorded the highest projected average holiday spending number in the survey’s 12-year history—an average of $1,118, making this the first time average spending has been above $1,000.

Learn more about the survey’s findings here.

Author