Everything is all right, uptight, outta sight. The American consumer is living it up.
Companies are hiring, cars are big and gas is cheap.
Prices of big-ticket consumer goods are falling. And while houses are more expensive, falling interest rates and relaxed terms continue to encourage renters to buy and owners to refinance. As if that weren't enough good news, shopping is as easy as logging onto the Internet. There's one in the mailbox that's pre-approved. For owners of stocks, it's increasingly important that the American consumer continue to keep spending.