Consumer confidence rises, but so do oil prices

Good day for: Confidence, as the national mood is brightening. Consumer confidence rose this month to its highest level since September. The Reuters/University of Michigan final index of consumer sentiment climbed to 68.7 -- a bigger jump than expected given a worse-than-expected business slump -- from 65.1 in April. "The worst of the recession has passed," said Nomura Securities chief economist David Resler, "but it will take some time before we will see anything close to normal conditions." (Bloomberg)

Bad day for: Overconfidence, as oil prices hit a six-month high above $66 a barrel. If the sharp rise from late 2008 lows near $30 a barrel continues, the recent rebound in consumer confidence could be reversed. That's because oil price hikes translate into higher prices at gas pumps -- a sure way to dampen the mood of consumers. (Yahoo Finance)

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up