GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s September Consumer Sentiment reached a post-recession high of 79 — up three points from a revised August reading of 76, according to a monthly University of Florida survey.
A radio host recently asked Gov. Rick Scott for an update on his trademark 7-7-7 plan -- creating 700,000 jobs in seven years in seven steps. (We're tracking that promise on the Scott-O-Meter.)
Scott said Florida’s economy is getting better in a lot of ways.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Consumer Sentiment among Floridians fell two points in April to 73 from the previous month’s revised figure of 75, marking a three-month decline, according to a monthly University of Florida survey.
All five categories measured by the survey dropped. Respondents’ overall assessment that their personal finances are stronger now than they were a year ago fell three points to 59. Their expectations of being better off financially a year from now fell four points to 78.
Job creation wasn't just about numbers. The 7-7-7 plan also emphasized growth of high-paying, high-skill jobs in technology and biotech with a goal of growing wages and salaries.
Gov. Rick Scott entered the fray at a point when tourism was the strongest industry in Florida and the state was operating in a deficit compared with the national economic scenario.
In 2011, the job trend turned positive for several industries.
Fourteen of Florida's 22 markets, including Ocala, added new jobs over the past year, state figures show. Nearly half of the jobs went to three areas: Tampa-St. Petersburg added 26,900 jobs; Miami picked up 18,700; and Jacksonville increased by 8,300 jobs.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Consumer Sentiment Index among Floridians remained at 65 in November, a ranking that matches a revised mark set in October and is only two points higher than the record low of 59 set in June 2008.
The index used by University of Florida researchers is benchmarked to 1966, which means a value of 100 represents the same level of confidence for that year. The lowest index possible is a 2; the highest is 150.
The November survey reveals a mixture of positive and negative perceptions.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — After a modest gain in September, Consumer Sentiment among Floridians fell a point in October to 63, four points above the record low of 59 set in June 2008, according to a new University of Florida study.
The index used by UF researchers is benchmarked to 1966, so a value of 100 represents the same level of confidence for that year. The lowest index possible is a 2; the highest is 150.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s Consumer Sentiment Index rose this month to 64, up three points from a revised mark of 61 in August, which was only two points higher than the record low of 59 set in June 2008, according to a new University of Florida survey.
“The increase in confidence this month was mostly a rebound from very low levels in August,” said Chris McCarty, director of UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research and Survey Research Center, which conducted the survey.
