If Fed Policy Is Still Easy, Consumers Aren't Getting the Memo

Federal Reserve officials say interest rates are still low enough that they continue to stimulate the U.S. economy. New data from a University of Michigan survey suggests that may no longer be the case.

The share of U.S. consumers who cited low interest rates as a reason it’s a good time to buy houses, vehicles or large household durables -- like furniture, refrigerators or televisions -- fell to 14 percent on average this month, down from 32 percent two years earlier.