In a recent discussion, Jharonne Martis from LSEG highlighted how consumers are significantly affected by rising rents and utility bills. This financial strain has led to a noticeable cut in consumer spending. Martis emphasized that consumers are 'extremely squeezed' due to these escalating costs and indicated potential long-lasting impacts on spending habits.
Negative
As consumers face increased financial stress, retail sectors reliant on discretionary spending may see a downturn. This could negatively impact companies that depend on consumer spending, especially in sectors like retail and consumer discretionary. One potential opportunity to watch would be in the consumer staples sector, which tends to perform better during economic downturns as it includes companies producing essential goods.
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