News

Middle-class consumer confidence declines amid economic pressures

Middle-class Americans shift from optimism to concern as economic confidence declines amid rising financial pressures

Published

3 months ago

September 1, 2025

Ahron Young

Middle-class Americans shift from optimism to concern as economic confidence declines amid rising financial pressures

In Short:
– U.S. middle-income household sentiment fell nearly 6% in August, reflecting low-income pessimism.
– Retailers report reduced spending by middle- and low-income customers on non-essential items.

Consumer sentiment among middle-income households in the U.S. has declined significantly, dropping nearly 6% in August according to a closely watched index from the University of Michigan.

According to The Wall Street Journal, as pessimism around the job market rises, more respondents are anticipating income declines.Households earning between $50,000 and $100,000 now reflect the more negative sentiments of low-income earners, shifting away from the previous optimism seen among high-income individuals. John Leer, chief economist at Morning Consult, noted this abrupt change in sentiment.

Businesses are feeling the strain. Retailers like Walmart and Kohl’s report that middle- and low-income customers are curtailing spending on non-essential items.

Fast-food chains like McDonald’s have also observed changes, with middle-class diners seeking budget-friendly options.

Squeezed Income

Wealthier Americans continue to spend on luxury items, but consumers earning $150,000 or less are cutting back on expenses. This demographic is notably feeling the economic pressure.

News

Tasmania AFL team confirmed: Macquarie Point stadium legislation passes

Tasmania joins AFL with the Tassie Devils set for 2028; legislation passed for Macquarie Point stadium.

Published

1 day ago

December 5, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Tasmania joins AFL with the Tassie Devils set for 2028; legislation passed for Macquarie Point stadium.

Tasmania is officially joining the AFL! After a marathon debate, the Legislative Council has passed the Macquarie Point stadium-precinct legislation 9-5. This milestone paves the way for the Tassie Devils Football Club to join the AFL in 2028, marking a historic moment for Tasmanian sport.

In an exclusive segment of Footynomics: The Business of Sport, Professor Tim Harcourt discusses the significance of this legislation, the social and economic impact of a new AFL team, and why this process took longer than expected.

We also explore what comes next for Tasmania, the AFL, and the broader implications for sports both in Australia and internationally.

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#TasmaniaAFL #TassieDevils #AFLExpansion #Footynomics #MacquariePoint #SportsEconomics #AustralianFootball #TickerNews

News

Australian Dollar hits five-week high amid weak GDP and US Dollar

Australian dollar hits five-week high amid soft US dollar, traders eye RBA policies and Fed meeting impacts.

Published

1 day ago

December 5, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Australian dollar hits five-week high amid soft US dollar, traders eye RBA policies and Fed meeting impacts.

The Australian dollar has surged to a five-week high as disappointing GDP data and a softer US dollar reshape trader expectations. Market participants are closely watching the Reserve Bank of Australia’s next policy meeting to gauge future interest rate decisions.

We sit down with Steve Gopalan from SkandaFX to break down what these developments mean for the Australian economy and global markets. From Q3 growth figures to inflation indicators, Steve explains the key drivers behind the Aussie dollar’s recent gains.

Traders are also keeping an eye on the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy meeting, as a weaker US dollar could have further implications for the Australian currency. Stay informed with expert insights and what to expect in the weeks ahead.

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#AustralianDollar #ForexNews #AUD #GDPUpdate #USdollar #InterestRates #RBA #MarketAnalysis

News

EU launches antitrust probe into Meta over WhatsApp AI policy

EU probes Meta’s WhatsApp AI chatbot policy for potential antitrust violations affecting third-party developers and competition.

Published

1 day ago

December 5, 2025

Harvey Vargas

EU probes Meta’s WhatsApp AI chatbot policy for potential antitrust violations affecting third-party developers and competition.

The European Commission has opened an antitrust investigation into Meta over WhatsApp’s new AI chatbot policy. The inquiry examines whether the policy restricts third-party AI developers from accessing WhatsApp’s business tools, potentially breaching EU competition rules.

Meta updated its terms, effective January 2026, which have already barred new AI providers since October 15. The rules prohibit AI developers from using WhatsApp as their primary service, affecting a number of AI companies looking to integrate with the platform.

The EU’s competition commissioner is considering interim measures to ensure fair competition. If Meta is found in violation, it could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue.

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#Meta #WhatsApp #EURegulation #AIChatbots #TechNews #Antitrust #DigitalCompetition #MetaAI