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BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS: An analytical technique that compares the benefit generated by an activity with its opportunity cost of production. The rule is that if benefits exceed costs, then the activity is efficient and should be undertaken. In some cases the end result of benefit-cost analysis is net benefits, which is benefits minus cost. A positive value means the activity is efficient. In other cases the end result of benefit-cost analysis is a benefit-cost ratio, which is benefits divided by costs. A ratio greater than 1.0 is thus the indication of an efficient activity.
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                           CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INDEX: A measure of consumer attitudes, preferences, and expectations concerning the state of the economy and business cycle conditions that is compiled each month by The Conference Board. The Conference Board is also responsible for compiling the leading, coincident, and lagging economic indicators. The Consumer Confidence Index is one of two primary measures of consumer attitudes. The other is the Index of Consumer Sentiment developed by the University of Michigan. The Consumer Confidence Index is a notable measure of consumer attitudes that has consistently demonstrated its value as a predictor of future economic conditions.This index is important to the notion that consumer expenditures are a critical component of aggregate demand for the macroeconomy. Changes in consumer confidence and attitudes affect consumer expenditures, which then affect the overall performance of the economy. In other words, if consumers are more confident, then they spend more and the economy is likely to expand. If consumers are less confident, then they spend less and the economy is likely to contract. Consumer Confidence SurveyThe Conference Board sponsors a monthly Consumer Confidence Survey that is conducted with a randomly selected, representative sample of 5,000 U.S. households. Each household is asked five simple questions dealing with:- An appraisal of current business conditions.
- Expectations of business conditions in six months.
- An appraisal of current employment conditions.
- Expectations of employment conditions in six months.
- Expectations regarding total family income in six months.
Each question has three possible responses--positive, neutral, or negative. The responses are converted into "relative" values by dividing the proportion of households responding "positive" by the total proportion of those responding either "positive" or "negative."In addition to the five questions used to calculate overall consumer confidence, the Consumer Confidence Survey also poses questions dealing with intended purchases for automobiles, houses, and major appliances. Other questions inquire about vacation plans and expectations of inflation, interest rates, and stock market prices. The survey is conducted in such a way that it provides reliable information that can be differentiated by age, income, and geographical location. A Family of ThreeThe five questions are used to generate three separate confidence indices. - Consumer Confidence Index: This is the most noted index generated by the study. It is a simple average of all five consumer attitude questions indexed against the relative value for 1985. A Consumer Confidence Index of 85, for example, means that the current level of consumer confidence is 85 percent of the level measured in 1985.
- Present Situation Index: This index is calculated as an average of the relative responses to questions 1 and 3. Both questions reveal how respondents feel about current business and employment conditions. It too is indexed against the relative value for 1985.
- Expectations Index: This index is calculated as an average of the relative responses to questions 2, 4, and 5. These three questions reveal expectations that respondents have about future business and employment conditions and personal income. It is indexed against the relative value for 1985, as well.
Recommended Citation:CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INDEX, AmosWEB Encyclonomic WEB*pedia, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB LLC, 2000-2024. [Accessed: December 14, 2024].
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PURPLE SMARPHIN
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Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time flipping through mail order catalogs hoping to buy either a how-to book on building remote controlled airplanes or an extra large beach blanket. Be on the lookout for jovial bank tellers.
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The 1909 Lincoln penny was the first U.S. coin with the likeness of a U.S. President.
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"Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success. " -- Pablo Picasso, artist
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NLLS
Nonlinear Least Squares
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