Several CEOs are voicing the same complaint about one of Trump's biggest brags
Alex Brandon (Associated Press)
But the CEOs of several large companies have the same grievance: They aren't seeing consumers spending much more, and can't yet proceed with major investments.
That's according to transcripts of several second-quarter earnings calls parsed by Goldman Sachs.
"Most executives note that they haven't seen an appreciable increase in customer activity despite improving sentiment," said David Kostin, Goldman's chief US equity strategist, in the firm's quarterly Beige Book of CEO commentary.
For business owners, Trump was supposed to be the deregulatory president. The National Federation of Independent Businesses reported that the surge in its members' optimism was comparable to 1983, when the economy was emerging from a recession under President Ronald Reagan.
But business leaders are also frustrated with the slow pace of progress in Washington. Trump's domestic agenda primarily for healthcare and tax reform has stalled amid divisions within the Republican party and the Russia investigation.
Here are some remarks from earnings calls (emphasis added):
- Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- An Ambani disruption in OTT: At just ₹1 per day, you can now enjoy ad-free content on JioCinema
- Sustainable Waste Disposal
- RBI announces auction sale of Govt. securities of ₹32,000 crore
- Catan adds climate change to the latest edition of the world-famous board game
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!