Matt Ott, The Associated Press

Matt Ott is a reporter with The Associated Press,  an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City and founded in 1846.

American consumers feeling more confident than they have in two years

Anxiety over the possibility of an economic recession continued to fade

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |January 30, 2024

1 min read

U.S. consumers feeling slightly less confident for 3rd straight month

Geopolitical conflicts and inflation remain at the forefront of American consumers' minds

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |October 31, 2023

1 min read

U.S. applications for jobless benefits fall to lowest level in nearly 8 months

Labour market continues to show strength in the face of elevated interest rates

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |September 21, 2023

1 min read

U.S. consumer confidence wanes with prices still high and signs of a cooling job market

The downturn in spending showed up in the earnings reports of many high-profile retailers

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |August 29, 2023

1 min read

Number of Americans applying for jobless aid rises, but not enough to cause concern

Outside tech layoffs early this year, companies have mostly been retaining workers

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |August 10, 2023

1 min read

U.S. jobless claims continue to fall

Since the pandemic hit, U.S. employers have added jobs at a blistering pace

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |July 20, 2023

1 min read

Consumer confidence declines again in May, particularly for older Americans

It's the fourth time in five months that overall U.S. consumer confidence has declined

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |May 30, 2023

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U.S. consumer confidence falls for 3rd time in 4 months

Consumer spending has remained strong despite the Federal Reserve raising interest rates nine straight times

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |April 25, 2023

1 min read

Consumer confidence in U.S. slides for third straight month

High inflation contributed to consumer anxiety

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |July 26, 2022

1 min read

U.S. consumer confidence tested as economic anxiety grows

Index declined for second month in a row

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |June 28, 2022

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U.S. consumer confidence slips in May amid stubborn inflation

Purchasing intentions for big-ticket items cooled slightly

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |May 31, 2022

1 min read

U.S. consumers still confident, but outlook not as rosy

Higher prices and the war in Ukraine contributed to a decline in the six-month outlook

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |March 29, 2022

1 min read

Sales of new homes in U.S. rose in August

Sales of new homes last month rose 1.5%, following an increase in July as well

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |September 24, 2021

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SEC’s Gensler says crypto investors need more protection

The SEC chairman said the regulator needs more authority and resources to regulate crypto markets

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |August 3, 2021

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Wells Fargo earned $4.74 billion in Q1, topping estimates

The release of loan-loss provisions helped boost the U.S. bank's earnings

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |April 14, 2021

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U.S. consumer confidence rises for second straight month

But consumers are more optimistic about current conditions than they are about the near future

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |February 23, 2021

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Wells Fargo profit increases in Q4

The bank reported earnings of almost $3 billion for the quarter

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |January 15, 2021

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U.S. services sector grows for seventh consecutive month

Out of 18 service sector categories, 14 reported growth in December

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |January 7, 2021

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U.S. services sector expands for fifth straight month

Business activity continued to expand in October, even while slower than in September

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |November 4, 2020

1 min read

Wells Fargo earns $2B in Q3

The result reverses the U.S. bank's second-quarter losses

By Matt Ott, The Associated Press |October 14, 2020

1 min read