Consumer confidence in the economy remained flat in May, while lower gas prices gave a slight boost to spending intentions, in particular for summer vacation plans. The Discover U.S. Spending Monitor, a nearly five-year-old daily poll tracking economic confidence and spending intentions of nearly 8,200 consumers throughout the month, declined 1.2 points to 95.5 in May.
The percentage of respondents who said the U.S. economy was improving held steady at 33 percent in May, even though slightly fewer respondents said their personal finances were improving. Overall, 37 percent said their personal finances were good or excellent, a 2-point decline from the month earlier.