Economic Release Snapshot: Personal Income and Spending Growth Slows

Each week, we break down the latest U.S. economic reports, including what the results mean for the overall health of the economy. Here, you will find how economists’ forecasts compare with actual results, key takeaways to consider, as well as a list of what’s on tap for the week ahead.

Reports for the Week of November 27

Conference Board Consumer Confidence, November (Tuesday)

• Expected/prior month consumer confidence: 101.0/99.1
• Actual consumer confidence: 102.0

Consumer confidence rose from a downwardly revised 99.1 in October to 102.0 in November. Improved consumer expectations for future economic conditions drove the better-than-expected result.

Personal spending and personal income, October (Thursday)

• Expected/prior personal income monthly change: +0.2%/+0.4%
• Actual personal income change: +0.2%
• Expected/prior personal spending monthly change: +0.2%/+0.7%
• Actual personal spending change: +0.2%

Personal income and spending growth slowed in October. Despite the slowdown, this marked seven consecutive months of consumer spending growth.

ISM Manufacturing, November (Friday)

• Expected/prior ISM Manufacturing index: 46.7/47.8
• Actual ISM Manufacturing index: 46.7

Manufacturer confidence was unchanged in November, which was slightly below economist expectations for a modest improvement. The index remained in contractionary territory, signaling continued headwinds for the manufacturing industry.

Upcoming Reports for the Week of December 4

ISM Services, November (Tuesday)

Service sector confidence is set to rise in November and remain in expansionary territory for the eleventh consecutive month.

Trade balance, October (Wednesday)

The international trade deficit is set to increase modestly in October due, in part, to a 1.7 percent slowdown in goods exports.

Employment report, November (Friday)

Economists expect to see 175,000 jobs added in November, which would be an uptick from the 150,000 jobs that were reported in October. The unemployment rate is set to remain unchanged at 3.9 percent.

University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey, November, preliminary (Friday)

The first estimate of consumer sentiment in December is set to show slightly higher confidence after the index fell to a six-month low in November.