Introducing The RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index

RealClearMarkets (RCM) and TIPP are joining forces to release the RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index, which will be the first measure of consumer sentiment each month, beginning in November 2023. Since February 2001, TIPP has released this index each month in collaboration with its former sponsor and media partner, Investor’s Business Daily.

Consumer sentiment is one of the best insights into the present and future productive capacity of the U.S. economy.

Wall Street analysts and others knowledgeable economic observers widely watch the index since it is the first monthly take on consumer confidence. It correlates well with other consumer confidence metrics released by the University of Michigan and the Conference Board later in the month.

The index is a closely watched measure of sentiment that informs the capital-allocating actions of investors, large and small.

TIPP develops the index from responses to an online survey of over 1,300 adults nationwide.

The index is typically released on the first Tuesday of each month. This flagship index has three equally weighted components:

The Six-Month Economic Outlook, a measure of consumers' feelings about the economy's prospects in the next six months
The Personal Financial Outlook, a measure of how Americans feel about their personal finances in the next six months
Confidence in Federal Economic Policies, a proprietary TIPP measure of how government economic policies are working, according to Americans

We track the index for 21 key demographic groups; historical data since 2001 is available.

“TIPP indexes will be an invaluable addition to RealClearMarkets,” said John Tamny, the editor of RealClearMarkets. “Our visitors seek reliable macroeconomic data, and the TIPP team possesses the expertise in economics, investing, and survey research. Markets are the collective knowledge of the people, and with TIPP indexes we're mining a crucial snapshot of what the people think in ways that will very capably inform the essential work of investors.”.

We will also release our companion index called the RealClearMarkets/TIPP Financial Stress Index each month. This index has been released in partnership with IBD since 2008. It is the only metric to track the financial stress felt by Americans.

“Consumption demand is the engine that motors an economy,” explains SP Kothari, Professor of Accounting and Finance at MIT Sloan School of Management and former Chief Economist of the Securities and Exchange Commission.. “Consumer confidence, or consumer sentiment, is a leading indicator of consumers’ future spending and, therefore, the health of the economy. The new Stress Index from RCM/TIPP would be eagerly watched in the financial markets.”

The TIPP Poll is considered the gold standard survey, having the unique distinction of being the most accurate presidential poll in the past five election cycles.

“We are excited to join forces with the RealClearMarkets team. We hope to develop new offerings based on our existing economic models and survey experience,” said TIPP's president, Raghavan Mayur.

Each month, the index will be released at 10a.m. Eastern time on the RealClearMarkets.com website.

2024 Release Calendar

The release calendar for the balance of 2023 and 2024 is given below.

Month	Release Date
Nov-23	Tue, Nov 7
Dec-23	Tue, Dec 5
Jan-24	Tue, Jan 9
Feb-24	Tue, Feb 6
Mar-24	Tue, Mar 5
Apr-24	Tue, Apr 9
May-24	Tue, May 7
Jun-24	Tue, Jun 4
Jul-24	Tue, Jul 2
Aug-24	Tue, Aug 6
Sep-24	Tue, Sep 3
Oct-24	Tue, Oct 8
Nov-24	Tue, Nov 12
Dec-24	Tue, Dec 3

About TechnoMetrica/TIPP Poll

TIPP is the polling unit of TechnoMetrica, a nationally renowned survey research and market research firm dedicated to providing clients with expert data-driven analysis to facilitate informed decision-making in their businesses. The TIPP Poll is considered the gold standard survey, having the unique distinction of being the most accurate presidential poll in the past five election cycles. The “tippinsights” unit provides editorials and commentaries on national and international issues, which often appear on the RealClearPolitics website.

In partnership with Investors’ Business Daily, Raghavan Mayur directed the renowned IBD/TIPP Poll from 1996–2023.

About RealClearMarkets

RealClearMarkets (RCM) is a one-stop shop for market-related news, analysis, and commentary. RealClearMarkets collects and publishes business, finance, and economic content from across the ideological spectrum. Site features include Market Data, Off the Street Blogs, Quotes, Research Reports, Videos, Topics, and Facts & Fallacies.

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