FINANCE FACTS - November 1972

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Finn

Finance Facts, November 1972, summarizes key indicators shaping consumer and economic conditions in the United States. It reports school dropout rates by urban-rural residence, tracks the Index of Consumer Sentiment, highlights income gains for women, and provides sector updates across industrial production, agriculture, gross national product, consumer buying plans, personal income, wholesale prices, and consumer credit. The coverage emphasizes recent changes versus prior quarters and year-ago comparisons.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

SCHOOL DROPOUT RATES

CONSUMER SENTIMENT

MARKED GAINS IN INCOME FOR WOMEN

FINANCE FACTS

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

AGRICULTURE

GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT

CONSUMER BUYING PLANS

PERSONAL INCOME

WHOLESALE PRICES

CONSUMER CREDIT

Any or all the material in ths publication may he quoted or reproduced. # SCHOOL DROPOUT RATES School dropouts are more likely to be rural than urban dwellers,accord-ing to the Bureau of the Census.The recent summary of the 1970 U.Scensus data shows that nationally 15.2%or 1.6 million of the youngmen 16 to 21 years old were school dropouts-that is,those in this agecategory who were not then enrolled in school and not high schoolgraduates. Proportion of school dropouts was 14.1%in urban areas,19.8%in ruralnonfarm areas,14.3%in rural farm areas.Small town youths were moreapt to drop out of high school before graduating than young central citydwellers.However,central city youths tended to become school drop-outs at a greater pace than their suburban neighbors.The dropoutrate stood at 16.3%in the central cities;11.1%in the suburbs. Additional information may be obtained in a copy of “General Social andEconomic Characteristics:U.S.Summary,"PC(1)-C1,available for $2.25 from the Superintendent of Documents,U.S.Government Print-ing Office,Washington,D.C.20402. # CONSUMER SENTIMENT Index of Consumer Sentiment rose 4.7 points from May to August-September 1972 and now stands at 94.0,according to the latest surveyby University of Michigan's Survey Research Center(SRC).Theindex has been reinforced by three consecutive quarterly gains whichhave added almost 12 points to the index since late 1971,and nearlyerased all of the loss in consumer sentiment experienced during 1969and 1970. Recent gain in the SRC Index has been characterized by a sharp reduc-tion in pessimism rather than increased optimism.Fewer respondentsexpect business conditions to be worse one year from now.Likewise,expectations about business conditions over the next five years,whichhave been quite pessimistic during the last several years,have showna significant upturn during August-September. # MARKED GAINS IN INCOME FOR WOMEN More than seven times as many women received incomes of $10,000 ormore in 1969 than in 1959,according to new 1970 census figurespublished by the Bureau of the Census.Data show that the numberof men with $10,000 or more in 1969 was four times the 1959 total.The number of women receiving incomes of $7,000 to $9,999 was seventimes greater in 1969 than 1959.By contrast,the number of men inthis range doubled between censuses. # FINANCE FACTS A Monthly Publication on Consumer Financial Behaoior NOVEMBER 1972 Index of Consumer Sentiment197019711972y Buseh C ly s FINANCE FACTS NOVEMBER 1972 Yearty Averages 1962-1966Seene:Fadaral fReurve Board ## INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION Industrial production rose 0.6%in September and at 115.2(1967=100)was 7.6%higher than one year earlier.September output gains in mostfinal products,including equipment and materials more than offset adecline in durable consumer goods. Auto assemblies were at an annual rate of 8.5 million units in September,reflecting ittle change from the July and August annual rates.Production of household appliances and television sets declined inSeptember but output of nondurable consumer goods increased.Production of business equipment rose further and was 10%above the1971 low but 5%below the 1969 high. ## AGRICULTURE Total crop production this year is expected to equal last year's record.Cotton and citrus will be much larger than last year's small crops,and grain production will be at near-record high.Livestock slaughterand egg production are somewhat below last year,while milk andpoultry is larger. ## GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT Gross national product,the market value of the Nation's output of goodsand services,increased $22.8 billion or 8.3%in the third quarter toreach a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,162.2 billion,accordingto preliminary figures released by the Commerce Department.In thesecond quarter,GNP had increased $30.3 billion or 11.4%at an annualrate. Real output (GNP adjusted for price changes)rose at an annual rate of 5.9%,down from 9.4%in the sec

FAQs

What do the report’s data say about school dropout rates by residence?

Dropouts were more likely in rural areas than urban ones, with higher rates in rural nonfarm and rural farm areas than in urban areas. Central city youths dropped out at a greater pace than suburban neighbors.

How does the Index of Consumer Sentiment change during the period discussed?

The index rose 4.7 points from May to August–September 1972 to 94.0. Gains are described as stemming more from reduced pessimism than from increased optimism.

What are the key highlights for industrial production and agriculture?

Industrial production increased 0.6% in September and was higher than the prior year. Agriculture coverage expects crop production near last year’s record and discusses relative changes across cotton, citrus, grain, livestock, eggs, milk, and poultry.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Finn