Consumer Spending.....UP?!

[ZanderRobertson]

I heard on the news this morning that consumer spending was up in Alberta for Q3. Were we living in the boom time past for one more quarter? Or do Albertans really believe we`re going to charge right through the recession?

 

[DonCampbell]

It will probably prove to be a bit of an anomaly as when November, December numbers come out you can expect them to be lower than 2007 as the numbers in 2007 were so high. Also, within those numbers we actually saw a jump in automotive sales for the first time in a while, which probably won`t be sustainable into November & December.

So won`t be too surprised to see these numbers lower in 2008. Consumer confidence is lower this year so people will be cutting back some on retail Christmas spending.

No one is immune to slow-down, it is just nice to look around at all of the other investment options and real estate regions and see where Alberta fits in the long-term.

 

[Jack]

QUOTE It will probably prove to be a bit of an anomaly as when November, December numbers come out you can expect them to be lower than 2007 as the numbers in 2007 were so high.

October`s too. The numbers that were released today were for the month of September. And how have things gone since then...?

 

[bigbabba]

realeasing consumer spending numbers for sept is like saying we had a great RE market in 06 sept..useless information for today`s times and outlook on what may come.

 

[Jack]

QUOTE realeasing consumer spending numbers for sept is like saying we had a great RE market in 06 sept..useless information for today`s times and outlook on what may come.

Wrong. Consumer spending is a leading indicator. It helps predict where the economic cycle is headed.

On that note - personal consumer spending down 1% for October! Foreshadowing?