Consumer Confidence, often referring to the Conference Board's index, measures how optimistic or pessimistic consumers are regarding their expected financial situation. It is a leading indicator as it can predict consumer spending, which accounts for a majority of overall economic activity. When consumers feel confident, they tend to spend more, driving economic growth and corporate earnings. A rising trend in this index is generally seen as a positive sign for the stock market and the national currency.
The index is calculated based on a monthly survey of about 5,000 households. It assesses current business and employment conditions, as well as expectations for the next six months.
| Date | Actual | Forecast | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 12, 2025 | 40.30 | — | — |
| Jan 28, 2025 | 38.00 | 37.00 | +1.00 |
| Dec 23, 2024 | 34.90 | 37.00 | -2.10 |
| Nov 5, 2024 | 35.50 | 33.50 | +2.00 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | 31.00 | 36.60 | -5.60 |
| Aug 30, 2024 | 31.00 | 35.60 | -4.60 |
| Jul 30, 2024 | 40.70 | 39.00 | +1.70 |
| Jun 12, 2024 | 37.70 | 33.10 | +4.60 |
| Apr 30, 2024 | 32.80 | 34.00 | -1.20 |
| Jan 31, 2024 | 33.90 | 37.10 | -3.20 |
| Oct 31, 2023 | 32.80 | 29.20 | +3.60 |
The latest reading is 1.4 standard deviations above the mean.
