After rebounding from the effects of the partial government shutdown in February, consumer confidence unexpectedly dropped in March. This is the fourth time decline in the past five months. The Consumer Confidence Index, reported by the Conference Board, fell by 5.6% from 131.4 to 124.1 in March, driven mainly by the sharp decline in the Present Situation Index, which fell… Read More ›
Tag Archive for ‘business conditions’
Consumer Confidence Drops in December
Following a modest decline in November, consumer confidence continued to decrease in December, driven mainly by weakened consumer expectations. The Consumer Confidence Index, reported by the Conference Board, fell by 6.1% from 136.4 to 128.1 in December, the lowest level since July 2018. Despite the sharp decline in December, the Consumer Confidence Index remained historically strong. The Present Situation Index… Read More ›
Consumer Confidence Reaches 18-Year High
Consumer confidence continued to rise in September, after a big increase in August. Currently, consumers are quite optimistic about both the current situation and the near-term outlook. The Consumer Confidence Index, reported by the Conference Board, increased to 138.4 in September, from 134.7 in August. It has surpassed the 2007 peak of 111.9 and spiked to the highest level since… Read More ›
Consumers’ Expectations Eased in June
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index decreased in June, following an increase in May. The June decline in the Consumer Confidence Index was driven mainly by a sharp decline in the Expectations Index. While the Present Situation Index declined modestly, by 0.1% from an index reading of 161.2 in May to 161.1 in June, the Expectations Index dropped by 3.7%… Read More ›
Consumer Confidence Drops in March, But Remains Elevated
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index declined in March, after increasing in February. The March decline in the Consumer Confidence Index reflects the declines in both the Present Situation Index and the Expectations Index. The Present Situation Index decreased by 0.8% from 161.2 to 159.9, while the Expectations Index declined by 2.7% from 109.2 to 106.2 in March. As a… Read More ›
Consumer Confidence in June – Optimistic but Cautious Consumers
The Consumer Confidence Index, released by the Conference Board, rose in June. Consumers were quite optimistic about current conditions, but less optimistic about the near term outlook than in May. The Consumer Confidence Index increased to 118.9 in June, from 117.6 in May. The present situation index rose from 140.6 to 146.3 while the expectations index decreased from 102.3 to… Read More ›
Consumer Confidence Slightly Decreased in May
The Consumer Confidence Index, released by the Conference Board, declined in May but still remained relatively high. Consumers’ assessments of current conditions were barely changed, but consumers were less optimistic about the near term outlook than in April. The Consumer Confidence Index declined slightly to 117.9 in May, from 119.4 in April. The present situation index rose from 140.3 to… Read More ›
Consumer Confidence Declined in April
After hitting a post-recession high, the consumer confidence index, reported by the Conference Board, declined in April. Consumers were less optimistic about both the current situation and the near term outlook, compared with last month. The Consumer Confidence Index declined to 120.3 in April, from 124.9 in March. Both the present situation index and the expectations index dropped. The present… Read More ›
Optimistic Consumers in March
Consumer confidence, reported by the Conference Board, increased in March. Consumers were very optimistic about both the current situation and the near term outlook. The Consumer Confidence Index increased to 125.6 in March, from 116.1 in February. Both the present situation index and the expectations index reached post-recession highs. The present situation index rose from 134.4 to 143.1 and the… Read More ›
Consumer Confidence Rebounded in February
Consumer confidence increased in February after a decline in January. Consumers were more optimistic about both the current situation and the near term outlook. The Consumer Confidence Index, reported by the Conference Board, increased to 114.8 in February, from 111.6 in January. Both the present situation index and the expectations index rose in February. The present situation index rose from… Read More ›