The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® declined in August, following a decrease in July (a downward revision). The Index now stands at 113.8 (1985=100), down from 125.1 in July. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—fell to 147.3 from 157.2 last month. The […] Read more »
Economic Confidence Dips as More Say Economy Worsening
Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index dropped to -12 from -6 in July and is now back to the level it was at in February. The index remains better than its pandemic low point of -33 in April 2020 but is still well below the +41 Gallup measured right before the pandemic […] Read more »
Plunge in confidence due to economics, emotions
Consumer sentiment fell in August by 13.4% from July, recording the least favorable economic prospects in more than a decade, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The Sentiment Index has only recorded larger losses in six other monthly surveys since 1978, with the largest losses in how […] Read more »
Consumer Sentiment Hits a Pandemic High
A near-record high in Americans’ ratings of their personal finances and improved views of the buying climate lifted the Consumer Comfort Index to a pandemic-era high this week, extending a five-week advance despite the extensive spread of the coronavirus Delta variant. The advance comes as major stock market indices hit […] Read more »
Californians optimistic about future of state
Most Californians say they are optimistic about the future of their state when they look to the future for the next generation — even if they are more mixed on how things are going right now. Younger adults are among the most optimistic. We asked Californians what they think are […] Read more »
Consumers reported a stunning loss of confidence in the first half of August
Consumers reported a stunning loss of confidence in the first half of August. The Consumer Sentiment Index fell by 13.5% from July, to a level that was just below the April 2020 low of 71.8. Over the past half century, the Sentiment Index has only recorded larger losses in six […] Read more »