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AICPA 'PFSi' study points to economic recovery for typical Americans

This morning, theAICPAreleased the results of their PFSi (Personal Financial Satisfaction Index)—a new gauge that weighs a variety of economic factors to calculate the financial standing of typical Americans. The findings saw an overall financial satisfaction into positive territory for the first time since the financial crisis.

The Index launched today at +6.6, representing an increase of 6.5 points from the previous quarter and 14.9 points from one year ago, indicating an economic recovery translating into improvements in the lives of average Americans, due in part to a decrease in loan delinquencies and improvement in job openings have pushed Americans’ 

Positive readings of thePFSiindicate that Americans’ financial opportunities are expanding faster than the potential loss in financial well-being. Negative readings of thePFSiwould indicate that it is more likely that consumers are facing financial difficulties.

“After years of feeling personal financial pain, the continued growth of the stock market, increases in available jobs, and a sharp decrease in consumer loan delinquencies are moving Americans’ finances into positive territory,” saidJeannette Koger, vice president of Member Specialization and Credentialing with the AICPA, in a statement. “In addition to providing Americans with a unique reference point to gauge their own financial standing, the Personal Financial Satisfaction Index gives financial planners a starting point for client conversations.”

Using both proprietary and normalized official U.S. Government data, thePFSiis comprised of two component indices that measure positive (Personal Financial Pleasure) and negative (Personal Financial Pain) factors equally.

Pleasure factors include the proprietary PFS 750 Market Index, comprised of the 750 largest companies by market capitalization trading on the U.S. markets, excluding ADRs, mutual funds and ETFs. The other components are the AICPA’s CPA Outlook Index, Real Home Equity Per Capita and Job Openings Per Capita. Pain factors include inflation, personal taxes, loan delinquencies and underemployment.

To view an infographic of thePFSI results, head to the AICPA's site here.

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