Latest snapshot also shows concerns
about future finances, job prospects
MURFREESBORO — Tennessee consumers are more upbeat about the
economy even as concerns linger about their future finances and current job
prospects, according to the latest statewide consumer survey results from
Middle Tennessee State University.
The overall Tennessee Consumer Outlook Index rose
to 45 this month, up noticeably from 18 in December. The current online survey of 606 randomly selected Tennessee consumers
was conducted between March 1 and March 15, with a margin of error of 4
percent.
The Office of Consumer Research in the MTSU Jones
College of Business conducts the quarterly survey, which measures areas such as
how consumers feel about the local, state and national economies as well as
their personal financial situations and the job market. A pdf copy of the full
report is available at http://bit.ly/1VNEc8i.
Dr. Tim Graeff, director of the Office of Consumer
Research, offered a caution about the uptick, noting the fact that the “current situation index,” a subcategory of the
survey, is still in the negatives. That means a greater percentage of consumers
have negative views of the current economy than have positive views. The
current situation index rose to -35, up from -57 in December.
Broken down by the
state’s three regions, West Tennessee showed the largest regional improvement
in the index (up 48 points). And even though Middle Tennessee saw modest
decreases in future outlook and views toward making large purchases, the
Midstate still leads the state regarding consumers’ perceptions of the economy,
Graeff noted. East Tennessee saw modest increases overall.
For more information, contact Graeff at
615-898-5124 or Tim.Graeff@mtsu.edu.
Or visit www.mtsu.edu/consumer.
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