Expressed as Numeric Index for First Time,
Spending Confidence Monitor Rises to 97.2
Discover Survey of U.S. Consumers Reveals Strong Summer
Optimism Among 18 to 29-Year-Olds
RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 2007--Consumer spending
confidence rebounded slightly in July, according to a random survey of
15,000 US adults conducted last month for the Discover(R) Consumer
Spending Confidence Monitor(SM). For the first time since the Monitor
started in May, more than 50 percent of consumers are not expecting
income shortfalls this month. A modest rebound in the number of
consumers saying they had money left over after paying July's bills
and a general increase in economic optimism helped drive a 0.5 point
increase in the July Monitor to 97.2 from 96.7 in June.
July marks the first time that the Discover Consumer Spending
Confidence Monitor of 15,000 adults has been expressed as a numeric
value or index. The Monitor is based upon consumer responses to nine
questions on spending intent, capacity and economic confidence. The
responses are scaled and averaged using conventional indexing
methodology. The index baseline of 100 was established using data from
the inaugural Monitor survey in May 2007.
Consumers' views of their personal finances edged up slightly in
July as 31 percent said their personal finances were improving versus
30 percent in June. Likewise, 27 percent of the adults surveyed in
July said the economy was poor compared to 28 percent in June.
Consumers Maintaining Their Spending with Confidence, Not Likely
to Increase Their Spending
The number of consumers who said they would spend the same next
month went up to 51 percent in July compared to 49 percent in June. In
addition, in July one consumer in three (33 percent) said they would
spend more next month, virtually the same as last month.
"The data suggests that consumers are doing a good job of managing
their budgets," said Ed Stolbof, senior vice president of marketing
for Discover Financial Services.
"Half (50 percent) of consumers said they had money left over
after paying the bills. Successfully managing their budgets to have
money left over may be a reason behind consumers' confidence in
maintaining their spending. But concerns about the economy, (63
percent view the economy as fair or poor) may keep them from
increasing their spending next month."
The July data also showed no appreciable change in the number of
people who say they are vulnerable to sudden losses of income.
Twenty-nine percent say they could not maintain their lifestyle for
more than 30 days before replacing lost income.
Younger Adults Increasingly Managing Their Budgets to Have Money
Left Over, Less are Vulnerable to Sudden Income Loss
The survey revealed that 50 percent of consumers had money left
over after paying last month's bills, up from 49 percent in June.
Consumers expect this budget surplus to continue with 79 percent of
those with a surplus planning to have the same or more money left over
after paying July expenses.
The July data shows marked changes in scores for 18 to
29-year-olds when it comes to spending. There was a 6 percent increase
to 45 percent in the number of younger consumers who said they would
have money left over after paying their monthly bills and a 4 percent
decline to 44 percent who claim they will have no money left over. The
18 to 29-year-olds saying they expected added expenses or shortfalls
in income fell from 48 percent to 44 percent; and the number expecting
no shortfalls rose from 38 percent to 44 percent.
"The summer season has brought an increase in optimism among
consumers 18 to 29 years old," said Stolbof. "Our survey shows an
increasing amount of younger adults having money left over after
paying their bills and that is boosting their spending confidence."
The biggest change in the segment's opinions came in connection
with their attitudes about continuing their lifestyles in the event of
a sudden loss of income. In June, 45 percent said they couldn't go for
more than a month without replenishing their source of income. That
percentage dropped seven points in July to 38 percent.
Confidence in the Economy, Personal Finances Increases Among
Younger Adults
While the overall view of the economy remained the same as last
month's survey with 35 percent rating it as good or excellent, younger
adults (18-29) showed less pessimism about the economy as 67 percent
rated the economy fair or poor compared to 71 percent in June.
Twenty-nine percent of younger adults feel the economy is good or
excellent versus only 27 percent in June.
There also were improvements among younger adults in attitudes
about their personal finances as those who said their finances were
improving jumped four points to 35 percent. This is well above the
overall average of 31 percent. Younger adults who said their personal
finances were getting worse fell three points to 41 percent, the same
as the overall average.
About the Discover Consumer Spending Confidence Monitor
The Discover Consumer Spending Confidence Monitor, released
monthly, queried nearly 15,000 adult consumers in July 2007 about
spending intentions and capacity. The survey also asked for opinions
on the U.S. economy and ratings of personal finances. The survey was
conducted by Rasmussen Reports, LLC, an independent survey research
firm (www.rasmussenreports.com). It has a margin of error of +/- 1
percent.
About Discover Financial Services:
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) operates the Discover Card
with more than 50 million cardmembers, the Discover Network with
millions of merchant and cash access locations, and the Goldfish
credit card business in the United Kingdom. Discover Financial
Services also operates the PULSE ATM/debit network, which serves more
than 4,400 financial institutions and includes nearly 260,000 ATMs, as
well as POS terminals, nationwide. For more information, visit
www.discoverfinancial.com.
CONTACT: Discover Financial Services
Matthew Towson
224-405-5649
SOURCE: Discover Financial Services