United States consumers are feeling better about the economy’s prospects, a survey released on Friday showed, but with less than 50 days left until the November 3 elections, they are almost evenly divided over who will win the White House.
The University of Michigan’s survey showed consumer sentiment hit its highest level in September since bottoming out in April, though it is still some 22 percentage points lower than it was in February, before coronavirus lockdowns swept the nation throwing tens of millions of people out of work.
The survey revealed the US election is playing a bigger role in shaping consumer expectations, with optimism about the economy’s prospects improving among Democrats and weakening among Republicans in September.
The Michigan survey has asked consumers which candidate they think will win the presidential election since Jimmy Carter ran against Gerald Ford in 1976.
Turns out, US consumers are rather prescient, picking the correct winner in every…
