Part 7/10:
Data from the Chicago Fed National Activity Index corroborates this negative sentiment, reporting a slowdown in economic activity due to decreased production and consumer purchasing. This decline may reflect a broader trend and emphasizes the struggling economy, further complicating the notion that small business optimism remains intact.
The Housing Market and Unemployment Indicators
The real estate market indicates deeper economic issues, with home sales at 30-year lows and pending sales dropping to all-time lows. When consumer confidence is high, home buying typically flourishes; the current stagnation signals a lack of confidence in the economy.