Consumer Confidence

Survey index of household sentiment about jobs, income, and spending plans over the next six months.

Specifications & Metrics

type

Leading

frequency

Monthly

publisher

The Conference Board (U.S.); European Commission and others elsewhere

Core Principles & Analysis

• The Conference Board's index is benchmarked so that 1985 averages 100.
• The expectations component leads the present-situation component at turning points, which is why analysts watch the split.
• Sentiment tracks gasoline prices and labor-market news closely, often moving before spending does.

Sources

• The Conference Board: US Consumer Confidence