The University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index is a monthly survey that gauges consumer attitudes toward the economy, personal finances, and buying conditions. It also includes closely watched data on inflation expectations. As a leading indicator of consumer behavior, it helps analysts predict shifts in the business cycle and retail demand.
Conducted via telephone surveys of at least 500 households. The index is calculated by subtracting the percentage of unfavorable replies from the percentage of favorable replies for five core questions.
| Date | Actual | Forecast | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 11, 2026 | — | 52.00 | — |
| Aug 28, 2026 | 51.70 | 51.00 | +0.70 |
| Aug 14, 2026 | 51.00 | 54.50 | -3.50 |
| Jul 31, 2026 | 55.20 | 54.00 | +1.20 |
| Jul 17, 2026 | 54.40 | 51.00 | +3.40 |
| Jun 26, 2026 | 49.50 | 50.00 | -0.50 |
| Jun 12, 2026 | 48.90 | 46.00 | +2.90 |
| May 22, 2026 | 44.80 | 48.20 | -3.40 |
| May 8, 2026 | 48.20 | 49.50 | -1.30 |
| Apr 24, 2026 | 49.80 | 47.60 | +2.20 |
| Apr 10, 2026 | 47.60 | 52.00 | -4.40 |
| Mar 27, 2026 | 53.30 | 54.00 | -0.70 |
| Mar 13, 2026 | 55.50 | 55.00 | +0.50 |
| Feb 20, 2026 | 56.60 | 57.30 | -0.70 |
| Feb 6, 2026 | 57.30 | 53.00 | +4.30 |
| Jan 23, 2026 | 56.40 | 54.00 | +2.40 |
| Jan 9, 2026 | 54.00 | 53.50 | +0.50 |
| Dec 19, 2025 | 52.90 | 53.40 | -0.50 |
| Dec 5, 2025 | 53.30 | 52.00 | +1.30 |
| Nov 21, 2025 | 51.00 | 50.50 | +0.50 |
| Nov 7, 2025 | 50.30 | 53.20 | -2.90 |
| Oct 24, 2025 | 53.60 | 55.00 | -1.40 |
| Oct 10, 2025 | 55.00 | 54.20 | +0.80 |
| Sep 26, 2025 | 55.10 | 55.40 | -0.30 |
| Sep 12, 2025 | 55.40 | 58.00 | -2.60 |
| Aug 29, 2025 | 58.20 | 58.60 | -0.40 |
| Aug 15, 2025 | 58.60 | 62.00 | -3.40 |
| Aug 1, 2025 | 61.70 | 62.00 | -0.30 |
| Jul 18, 2025 | 61.80 | 61.50 | +0.30 |
| Jun 27, 2025 | 60.70 | 60.50 | +0.20 |
| Jun 13, 2025 | 60.50 | 53.50 | +7.00 |
| May 30, 2025 | 52.20 | 51.00 | +1.20 |
| May 16, 2025 | 50.80 | 53.40 | -2.60 |
| Apr 25, 2025 | 52.20 | 50.80 | +1.40 |
| Apr 11, 2025 | 50.80 | 54.50 | -3.70 |
| Mar 28, 2025 | 57.00 | 57.90 | -0.90 |
| Mar 14, 2025 | 57.90 | 63.10 | -5.20 |
| Feb 21, 2025 | 64.70 | 67.80 | -3.10 |
| Feb 7, 2025 | 67.80 | 71.10 | -3.30 |
| Jan 24, 2025 | 71.10 | 73.20 | -2.10 |
| Jan 10, 2025 | 73.20 | 73.80 | -0.60 |
| Dec 20, 2024 | 74.00 | 74.00 | 0.00 |
| Dec 6, 2024 | 74.00 | 73.00 | +1.00 |
| Nov 22, 2024 | 71.80 | 73.70 | -1.90 |
| Nov 8, 2024 | 73.00 | 71.00 | +2.00 |
| Oct 25, 2024 | 70.50 | 69.00 | +1.50 |
| Oct 11, 2024 | 68.90 | 70.80 | -1.90 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | 70.10 | 69.30 | +0.80 |
| Sep 13, 2024 | 69.00 | 68.00 | +1.00 |
| Aug 30, 2024 | 67.90 | 68.00 | -0.10 |
| Aug 16, 2024 | 67.80 | 66.90 | +0.90 |
