Consumers felt better in both the short- and long-term measurements, suggesting optimism for the future.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – As the U.S. entered its longest economic expansion in its history, consumer sentiment among Floridians increased 3.7 points in July to 100.2 – an increase from June’s revised figure of 96.5.

All five components that make up the index increased.

Current conditions
Floridians’ opinions of their personal financial situation now compared with a year ago increased 3.6 points from 93.2 to 96.8, though opinions varied greatly by demographics; male respondents and those under age 60 reported less-favorable opinions. Similarly, opinions as to whether now is a good time to buy a major household item like an appliance increased 3.2 points from 100.3 to 103.5, though men reported less-favorable opinions.

“Overall, these two components showed that views regarding current economic conditions improved among Floridians in July,” says Hector H. Sandoval, director of the Economic Analysis Program at UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research.

Future expectations
The three components corresponding to Floridians’ expectations about future economic conditions also improved. Expectations of personal financial situations a year from now increased 4.5 points from 103.5 to 108.

The outlook of U.S. economic conditions over the next year showed the greatest increase in this month’s reading, up 5.1 points from 92.6 to 97.7.

Finally, expectations of U.S. economic conditions over the next five years increased 2.2 points from 92.7 to 94.9. These expectations are shared by almost all Floridians; however, men again reported less-favorable expectations.

“Despite the divided views by gender, Floridians are overall more optimistic in July,” says Sandoval. “The gain in July’s reading comes from consumers’ expectations about the national economy in the short run.”

Economic indicators have remained positive. July is the 121st consecutive month of gross domestic product growth since the Great Recession, breaking the record of 120 months of economic growth between March 1991 and March 2001. Starting in June 2009, the current growth trend is now the longest economic expansion in U.S. modern history.

In Florida, unemployment peaked at 11.3% in January 2010 as a result of the Great Recession, but Florida’s labor market strengthened with solid job gains statewide and has led to an unemployment rate of 3.4% in June 2019. Compared with a year ago, the number of jobs increased by 218,800 in June, an increase of 2.5%.

Among all industries, education and health services gained the most jobs, followed by professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and construction. The information industry was the only sector losing jobs. Moreover, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, in the first quarter of 2019, Florida’s gross state domestic product increased 2.9%.

“Looking ahead, in view of the labor market conditions and current economic outlook, we expect consumer sentiment in Florida to remain high in the coming months, continuing the economic expansion,” Sandoval said.

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