Wed, 02 June 2021 | retirement saving
Reference Point, an annual 401(k) benchmarking report featuring year-over-year data and analysis on participant behavior and plan design from T. Rowe, finds that workers remained committed to retirement saving through the pandemic. The report is based on the firm's full-service recordkeeping client data and this year, it features findings derived through the lens of the global pandemic.
"While the financial, physical, and emotional strains caused by the pandemic had, and will continue to have, repercussions on plan design and retirement savings outcomes, it was encouraging t... Read More
Wed, 02 June 2021 | travel
Strong growth through the remainder of 2021 will push RV wholesale shipments to their highest historical total ever, according to the Summer 2021 issue of RV RoadSigns, the quarterly forecast prepared by ITR Economics for the RV Industry Association.
“What RV manufacturers and suppliers have accomplished over the past year is nothing short of incredible. And our new forecast shows the industry will continue its record-breaking streak through the rest of the year,” said RV Industry Association President and CEO Craig Kirby. “Even with other types of travel returning, the... Read More
Wed, 02 June 2021 | employment
Amid a rapid reopening of the US economy and a huge increase in demand for workers, a new survey from The Conference Board found that businesses are having immense difficulty finding qualified workers. In fact, 80 percent of organizations hiring mostly industry and manual services workers report difficulty finding qualified workers, with 25 percent reporting it is very difficult. This compares to 74 percent before the pandemic, with 4 percent reporting it was very difficult.
The results of the survey suggest human resources departments will face four main challenges in... Read More
Tue, 01 June 2021 | retail spending
Think everyone was staying home, doing all their shopping online and avoiding human contact at all costs during the past year? Think again. According to the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Home Improvement Retailer Satisfaction Study,℠ released today, home improvement is one retail category that maintained a consistent level of in-store shopping.
“The home improvement category is booming right now as part of the pandemic-related silver lining from people being home more and finally getting the time to tackle those home projects,” said Christina Cooley, director of the home intel... Read More
Tue, 01 June 2021 | housing real estate
A record high of 51% of homes sold for more than their list price—up from 26% the same period a year earlier—according to a new report from Redfin .
Below are other key housing market takeaways for more than 400 U.S. metro areas during the 4-week period ending May 23, unless otherwise noted.
Note that at this time last year, pandemic stay-at-home orders halted homebuying and selling, which makes year-over-year comparisons unreliable for select housing metrics. As such, Redfin has broken this report into two sections: metrics that a... Read More
Tue, 01 June 2021 | housing real estate
A new survey from Regions Bank suggests the old real estate axiom of "location, location, location", may be getting turned on it's head. The survey indicates consumer sentiment regarding homeownership may have changed, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with people prioritizing additional space, both inside and out, more so than prime locations.
According to the survey, roughly one in five Americans (21%) are planning to buy their first or next home or apartment in the next 12 months. When asked to select all items on their wish list, the top two responses were having room... Read More
News and insights about consumer and demographic financial trends
The Hidden Cost of Idle Cash: What the Vanguard Survey Reveals About America’s Savings Habits
Consumers Growing Cautious Amid Rising Inflation and Economic Uncertainty
US Taxpayers Say Tax Refunds are a Financial Necessity
Consumer Pessimism Grows Despite Stable Long-Term Inflation Expectations
Economic Uncertainty and Inflation Impact Retirement Prospects for Americans
AARP Survey Reveals Alarming Retirement Savings Trends
Hispanic Consumers More Optimistic About Finances
Homeowners Facing Increasing Insurance Rates
U.S. Foreclosures Increase In First Quarter
Consumers Perceive Less Buying Power Despite Lower Inflation