Evidence of Consumer Strength

The chart below is an average of daily self reported spending by US consumers:

source: Gallup.com

Notice how the series stayed below the 80 level for the whole period since the recovery began.

The good news is that it has recently broken above that level, an event that suggests increasing consumer strength and confidence. Since the series is volatile it could easily drop below 80 again. A confirmation of strength would be reaching 85 or above a few more times in the future.