Low expectations
Americans’ economic expectations fell in May to 109.4 from 109.6 in April, according to the Conference Board, a New York-based research firm. But the organization found that the consumer confidence index rose slightly to 109.8 in May from 108.5 in April. Analysts say the mixed message points to a slow recovery. Meanwhile, consumers kept spending, according to the Commerce Department, which found that spending rose for the second straight month to a seasonally adjusted $7.32 trillion.
