Posts Tagged economy
Consumer outlook improving
The consumer’s outlook is improving, according to the January Consumer Reports Index, a measure of overall consumer financial health. The study reports that stress levels have diminished, financial difficulties have moderated compared to past months, and the strong retail performance of the holiday season is an important marker that Americans may be willing to engage and spend once again.
The Consumer Reports Index captures respondents’ attitudes, asking if they are feeling better or worse off than a year ago. When the index is greater than 50, more consumers are feeling positive about their situation. When it is below 50, more consumers are feeling worse. The Sentiment Index can vary from a high of 100 to a low of 0.
Posted by eBrand Media Research Department in Trend Tracker on January 23rd, 2012
The Internet Is Dead (As An Investment)
By James Altucher
I can live all day inside the Internet. I can talk to my friends, listen to music, watch TV, trade stocks, play games, do work – all on the Internet. From 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day I can spend on the Internet and it would be a day well spent.
But run for the hills when it comes to advising clients to invest in the Internet.
The days of infinite margins, 1,000% productivity gains, and growth of market throughout the universe are long over. Internet companies now should be treated, at best, like utility companies that get bought at about 10 times earnings and sold at 13 times earnings. Even then, I’m not sure I would give the Internet sector the same respect as the monopoly-protected utility sector.
Don’t just ask me. Ask the best. Nobody can figure out a business model.
Posted by Tom Polanski in The Economy on July 20th, 2009
Why banks (still) aren’t lending
By David Weidner, MarketWatch
Banks need to stop the charade, ignore the political and public pressure and admit they’re not lending.
It’s not because they don’t want to, but because it’s bad business.
Don’t think so? Take this pop quiz. Bank of America (BAC, news, msgs) posted smashing first-quarter profits and its chief executive, Ken Lewis, said the Charlotte, N.C., company is lending as if the good times never ended. So, in the bank’s conference call, which of the following statements did Lewis make?
A. “Credit is bad, and we believe credit is going to get worse before it will eventually stabilize and improve.”
B. “Even our internal economists are a little at odds as to the timing (of the recovery), with some seeing recovery earlier (than year’s-end).”
C. “We believe unemployment won’t peak until next year at somewhere in the high single digits.”
D. All of the above.
E. None of the above.
Posted by Tom Polanski in The Economy on April 23rd, 2009
The Importance of the Customer-Centric Model in A Down Economy
By Tom Polanski
I’m happy to report that eBrand Media clients and partners continue to realize significant revenue increases in 2008 despite downbeat messages about “economic challenges facing consumer’s as a result of higher gas prices, lower home values and a jittery stock market.” In my opinion, a tighter economy will potentially create greater profitability for online retailers as more people look to the web for savings and convenience. These consumers will augment those who already use the internet as their first choice for commerce.
Posted by Tom Polanski in Agencies, Customer Centric, Relationship Marketing on March 27th, 2008