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- New York Times quotes Diane Swonk on jobs outlook 04.19.2013
Bloomberg asks Diane Swonk to explain Fed concern over unemployment
03.08.2013- Marketplace radio calls on Adolfo Laurenti for European analysis 02.26.2013
- Financial Times asks Diane Swonk about Fed caution 01.30.2013
- CNBC Asia turns to Adolfo Laurenti for European expertise
01.10.2013
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Media Mentions
- New York Times quotes Diane Swonk on jobs outlook 04.19.2013
- Bloomberg asks Diane Swonk to explain Fed concern over unemployment
03.08.2013
- Marketplace radio calls on Adolfo Laurenti for European analysis 02.26.2013
- Financial Times asks Diane Swonk about Fed caution 01.30.2013
- CNBC Asia turns to Adolfo Laurenti for European expertise
01.10.2013
Who We Are
Founded in 1937, Mesirow Financial is a diversified financial services firm headquartered in Chicago. We are an employee-owned, private company with approximately 1,200 employees globally.
Founded in 1937, Mesirow Financial is a diversified financial services firm headquartered in Chicago. We are an employee-owned, private company with approximately 1,200 employees globally.
What We Do
Mesirow Financial understands, anticipates
and meets the financial needs of its clients – institutions, public sector entities, corporations and individuals – with a multitude of
high-quality products and services.
Mesirow Financial understands, anticipates
and meets the financial needs of its clients – institutions, public sector entities, corporations and individuals – with a multitude of
high-quality products and services.
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Phone: +1 312.595.6000
Toll Free: +1 800.453.0600
Chicago, IL 60654 (Map & Directions)
Phone: +1 312.595.6000
Toll Free: +1 800.453.0600
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Consumer Confidence Wavers on Higher Tax Bills
The Conference Board index of Consumer Confidence plummeted to 58.6 in January, almost half of its base year of 100 in 1985. Losses occurred in both current economic conditions and views about the future, virtually wiping out all of the gains we had seen in 2012.
The expiration of the payroll tax holiday, combined with concerns about the job market, made large contributions to the decline. The way consumer react to the end of the payroll tax holiday is one of a myriad of concerns that the Federal Reserve has about the economy in 2013.
It is important to note that the consumer confidence index can be extremely volatile and subject to swings in the headlines; it can often be a misleading indicator for actual consumer spending. That said, there is a disturbing trend here. Not only has confidence dropped, but political uncertainty has played a role in the decline. The combination has resulted in weaker growth since the onset of the financial crisis and should be taken seriously by Washington. Gridlock is not an option regarding the budget, long-term deficit reduction and the field of fiscal land mines Washington has deliberately laid for us.
Bottom Line: Movements in consumer confidence alone do not determine the forecast but should raise a red flag to our elected officials that they are not doing their jobs. It’s time to dismantle all the ticking, fiscal time bombs and allow all of us to move forward.