Saturday, June 28, 2025

Latest IBD/TIPP Poll Shows Dip in Economic Optimism

Tue, 04 May 2021  |  consumers 

The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index, a leading national poll on consumer confidence, ended its streak of four consecutive months with improved optimism. The May index showed a 3.5% decline, with a dip in all three of its components. The index overall remained in positive territory, however, with a reading of 54.4, down from 56.4 in April. For the IBD/TIPP indexes, a reading above 50.0 signals optimism and below 50.0 indicates pessimism. The Economic Optimism Index has been in positive territory since January 2021.

The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index has established a strong... Read More

Seismic Shifts to Redefine Philanthropy

Tue, 04 May 2021  |  charitable giving 

A major shift is underway in how people give, the tools they use and even what motivates them, according to a new report by Fidelity Charitable^® based on a survey of nearly 4,000 philanthropic individuals who gave at least $1,000 to charity in the previous year. The shift has tremendous implications for nonprofits that depend on the more than $450 billion donated to charity each year, but also has the potential to shape American society much more broadly. The pandemic accelerated existing trends, increasing the use of digital giving tools and driving a shift in the causes donors... Read More

A Quarter of American Taxpayers Don’t Have a Financial Plan

Tue, 04 May 2021  |  financial planning 

For some people, submitting their tax return to the IRS is a relief as they put the paperwork out of sight, and out of mind, until next year. Others recognize that tax time is the perfect time to plan for the future while all the documents are readily available. In fact, half of American taxpayers (55 percent) have used the information collected and entered on their annual tax return to create or make changes to their financial plan, with a little more than a quarter (27 percent) doing so annually, according to research conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Institute of CPA... Read More

Home Prices Climb to New Heights as Spring Brings Little Relief to Buyers

Fri, 30 April 2021  |  housing real estate 

The median home-sale price increased 20% year over year to $347,500—an all-time high—according to a new report from Redfin. This number is somewhat inflated due to a slight dip in median sale prices around this time in 2020, and due to fewer high-end homes being sold at this time a year ago, and more high-end homes being sold now.

Below are other key housing market takeaways for more than 400 U.S. metro areas during the 4-week period ending April 25 (unless otherwise noted).

Note that at this time last year, ... Read More

Consumers Financially Optimistic After Difficult Year

Thu, 29 April 2021  |  consumers 

Nearly half of U.S. consumers think that their finances will be better off in the next year, as nearly a third saw improvements in their spending habits and savings, according to a new survey from Chase. Optimism is slightly higher among Black (54%) and Latinx (49%) respondents as many have taken action to improve their credit, spending, or earn a second income.

The new Chase Financial Health Consumer Study—conducted in partnership with Morning Consult—surveyed more than 5,000 U.S. consumers on the state of their finances, attitudes towards saving and budgeting, and action... Read More

Significant Jump in Concern by Wealthiest Americans Over Proposed Tax Hikes

Wed, 28 April 2021  |  affluent economy 

Billions of dollars in anticipated tax hikes on personal income and estates proposed by the Biden Administration, along with rising income and property taxes in some states, are causing consternation among some of America’s wealthiest investors, according to Spectrem’s $25 Million Plus Investor Report. More than half of those surveyed indicate they are considering moving their residence to states with low-or-no income taxes.

The report, which is the only continual survey that has tracked the $25MM+ investment sector since 2007, fielded data from those with over $25 milli... Read More