Midstate consumers continue to view the economy more favorably, according to the latest three-county survey by Middle Tennessee State University.

The overall Middle Tennessee Consumer Outlook Index rose to 203 for May, up from 179 in February and 122 in December. The current poll surveyed 324 randomly selected adult residents in Davidson, Rutherford and Williamson counties.  Robert Rickman has more... 

VERBATIM:

Local business and retailers should benefit from the rosier outlook as shoppers loosen the grip a bit on their wallets, according to Tim Graeff, director of the Office of Consumer Research at MTSU’s Jones College of Business.  

Says Graeff  “As we enter the summer months it appears that consumers are adopting a sunnier outlook on the economy.” 

Graeff also noted that fears of higher taxes in the future continue to subside, and consumers are increasingly optimistic about where the stock market is headed. Increased expectations for investments can add momentum to increased consumer spending decisions.

 Graeff added, “This increase in the overall outlook index was due mostly to improvements in consumers’ perceptions of the current economy,” Graeff said. “Consumers are slowly beginning to feel better about the job market and their personal financial situation. However, although consumers feel that the economy has improved, they do not expect significant improvements in the future economy.  Robert Rickman Wgns news.

The latest survey was conducted between the evenings of April 23 and May 1. The index score is computed by adding the percentage of favorable responses to each survey question and subtracting the percentage of negative responses.