Survey of Consumer Attitudes and Behavior, July 2013

The Survey of Consumer Attitudes and Behavior series (also known as the Surveys of Consumers) was undertaken to measure changes in consumer attitudes and expectations, to understand why such changes occur, and to evaluate how they relate to consumer decisions to save, borrow, or make discretionary purchases. The data regularly include the Index of Consumer Sentiment, the Index of Current Economic Conditions, and the Index of Consumer Expectations. Since the 1940s, these surveys have been produced quarterly through 1977 and monthly thereafter. The surveys conducted in 2013 focused on topics such as evaluations and expectations of financial investments, employment, price changes, the national business situation, and the stock market. Opinions were collected regarding respondents' appraisals of present market conditions for purchasing and owning houses, automobiles, and other household items. Also explored in this survey were respondents' types of savings, family income, retirement planning, and phone use. Demographic information includes ethnic origin, sex, age, marital status, and education.