Business and Economics

Americans predict they will spend an average of $1,014 on holiday gifts this year, well above the $923 they estimated at this time last year.

Gallup's Economic Confidence Index improved in August, but inflation and job market concerns persist.

A recent Bentley University-Gallup study shows Americans remain cautious about how artificial technology is being used, but greater transparency could help ease some of their concerns.

Gallup's Economic Confidence Index is holding at -35 in July, with 13% naming inflation as the most important problem.

June's Economic Confidence Index holds at -33, reflecting Americans' ongoing economic concerns.

About half of U.S. holiday shoppers say they will buy most or all of their gifts in December, with 16% buying all of them this month.

The amount Americans plan to spend on holiday gifts this year has increased as the season has progressed, from $923 in October to $975 in November.

Americans predict they will spend an average $923 on Christmas or other holiday gifts this year, just shy of the $932 they estimated at the same time a year ago.

Consumers have dialed back their spending intentions on Christmas gifts compared with what they said in October.

Fifty-five percent of U.S. adults say rising prices are causing hardship for their family, essentially unchanged from August but higher than a year ago.

Gallup polls in 1942, 1947, 1974 and 1980 provide insight into how Americans reacted to inflation when the rate was consistently over 10%.

Americans' satisfaction with government regulation of businesses and industries has fallen to a new low of 28%. At the same time, satisfaction with the size and influence of major corporations ties last year's all-time low of 26%.

Gallup and Lloyd's Register Foundation completed the first-ever study of global perceptions of risk.