Speech
Why the Consumer Matters
Abstract: Over the last several months, I’ve been saying “It’s really hard to drive when it’s foggy.” In the context of high uncertainty about the implications of government policy changes, businesses have been on pause. But the fog is lifting. Recently, in the context of high uncertainty, we have seen consumer spending soften. But I take comfort in the underlying dynamics. Unemployment is low. Real wages are up. Asset values are high. It’s hard to envision a sustained consumer pullback in such an environment. So, what does a solid, but stretched consumer mean, in the context of the road ahead? I anticipate the ride will be bumpy, but bearable.
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https://www.richmondfed.org/press_room/speeches/thomas_i_barkin/2025/barkin_speech_20250812
Description: Speech
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Provider: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Part of Series: Speech
Publication Date: 2025-08-12