that s according to fresh data out today. they re feeling hopeful about their economic and job prospects. a new survey from thomson- reuters and the university of michigan shows the consumer sentiment index rose to 79.2 this month. that s the highest level in four months. those surveyed said they are upbeat about their personal finances, and most believe the unemployment will not rise further. also today, the commerce department reported retail sales jumped 0.9% in august. that s the largest increase since february. the gains come as consumers are spending more on cars and gasoline. the report showed that sales at different retailers were mixed and suggested only a modest increase in consumer spending this quarter. today s news comes just a day after the federal reserve stepped in once again to revive the economy, and ben bernanke s promise to help main street. how will main street americans do under q.e.3? joining us to answer that, robert brusca, chief economist at his own
they re feeling hopeful about their economic and job prospects. a new survey from thomson- reuters and the university of michigan shows the consumer sentiment index rose to 79.2 this month. that s the highest level in four months. those surveyed said they are upbeat about their personal finances, and most believe the unemployment will not rise further. also today, the commerce department reported retail sales jumped 0.9% in august. that s the largest increase since february. the gains come as consumers are spending more on cars and gasoline. the report showed that sales at different retailers were mixed and suggested only a modest increase in consumer spending this quarter. today s news comes just a day after the federal reserve stepped in once again to revive the economy, and ben bernanke s promise to help main street. how will main street americans do under q.e.3? joining us to answer that, robert brusca, chief economist at his own firm, fact and opinion economics. hi, bob.
oversight committee. bernanke added that the benefits need to be balanced against their potential costs and risks. the possibility of more stimulus from the central bank gave investors hope and stocks spiked after that august 22 letter was made public this afternoon. the dow rose 100 points. the nasdaq added 16 and the s&p gained nine points. but in spite of those gains, all three of the major indices were down slightly on the week, their first negative week in a month- and-a-half. robert brusca doesn t believe bernanke will unveil any new policy moves when he speaks at a federal reserve conference in jackson hole wyoming next friday. he s chief economist of fact and opinion economics. bob, nice to see you. you know, people are really expecting something important from bernanke next friday, and in fact, the title of his speech, i understand, is, monetary policy since the great crisis. you re doubtful that anything big is going to come out of this. tell us why. well, you k
response to questions from california republican darrell issa, chairman of the house oversight committee. bernanke added that the benefits need to be balanced against their potential costs and risks. the possibility of more stimulus from the central bank gave investors hope and stocks spiked after that august 22 letter was made public this afternoon. the dow rose 100 points. the nasdaq added 16 and the s&p gained nine points. but in spite of those gains, all three of the major indices were down slightly on the week, their first negative week in a month- and-a-half. robert brusca doesn t believe bernanke will unveil any new policy moves when he speaks at a federal reserve conference in jackson hole wyoming next friday. he s chief economist of fact and opinion economics. bob, nice to see you. you know, people are really expecting something important from bernanke next friday, and in fact, the title of his speech, i understand, is, monetary policy since the great crisis. you r
oversight committee. bernanke added that the benefits need to be balanced against their potential costs and risks. the possibility of more stimulus from the central bank gave investors hope and stocks spiked after that august 22 letter was made public this afternoon. the dow rose 100 points. the nasdaq added 16 and the s&p gained nine points. but in spite of those gains, all three of the major indices were down slightly on the week, their first negative week in a month- and-a-half. robert brusca doesn t believe bernanke will unveil any new policy moves when he speaks at a federal reserve conference in jackson hole wyoming next friday. he s chief economist of fact and opinion economics. bob, nice to see you. you know, people are really expecting something important from bernanke next friday, and in fact, the title of his speech, i understand, is, monetary policy since the great crisis. you re doubtful that anything big is going to come out of this. tell us why. well, you k