US Consumer Confidence Ticks Up to 6-Month High: Conference Board

Overall confidence among U.S. consumers ticked up in August, though it remained within a narrow range that has persisted for the past two years, according to The Conference Board. The Consumer Confidence Index advanced to 103.3 this month, up from an upwardly adjusted 101.9 in July. The market consensus penciled in a reading of 100.7. The all-time high was recorded in late 2018 at just below 140. Conference Board Present Situation Index—a gauge of consumers’ view of current business and labor market conditions—rebounded in August after steadily sliding since late 2023. Additionally, the organization’s Expectations Index—a metric based on consumers’ short-term outlook for business, income, and labor conditions—rose for the second consecutive month....