Consumer Outlook Falls In TN Dec 24, 2020 at 01:50 pm by WGNS (MURFREESBORO) A statewide MTSU study shows that the outlook of the current and future economy has plummeted among Tennessee consumers following the recent presidential election and as COVID-19 cases continue to explode across the state. On the heels of summer and fall gains as the nation rebounded from the economic impact of COVID-19, the Tennessee Consumer Outlook Index returned to negative territory, dropping to -58 in December from 44 in September, reports the Office of Consumer Research in the Jennings A. Jones College of Business at MTSU. “Of most significance is the eroding outlook for the future, which had remained steady during the year,” said Tim Graeff, marketing professor and director of the Office of Consumer Research. “Recent improvements in outlook as the economy began to rebound from the pandemic have now been negated. Such negative views and outlook have led to more hesitant views regarding spending.”