US Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index (1985=100)
US Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index (1985=100) stood at 81.9 in Sep 2026. It is one of the indicators in the Consumer confidence (Conference Board) table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Feb 2007 to Sep 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Consumer confidence (Conference Board) table
| Indicator | 09-2026 | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Index (1985=100)2 | 81.9 | 88.6 | 90.2 | 92.2 | 90.6 | 93.8 | 92.2 | 91 | 89 | 94.2 | |
| Present Situation Index | 109.3 | 117.2 | 114.4 | 118.5 | 119.4 | 124.4 | 124.1 | 118.7 | 121.8 | 123.6 | |
| Expectations Index | 63.6 | 69.5 | 74 | 74.7 | 71.4 | 73.4 | 71 | 72.6 | 67.2 | 74.6 |
Understanding US Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index (1985=100)
The aggregate consumer confidence index outlines how households view the US economy, based on both assessments of current conditions and expectations for the near future. This index is standardized around a base period and does not represent the share of optimists, spending levels, or the growth rate. Compared to its two component indices, it provides a general picture but may obscure instances where current perceptions and expectations move in opposite directions.
The series is published Monthly and should be evaluated through multi-period trends rather than overemphasizing a single fluctuation. Month-on-month comparisons help identify the latest shifts in sentiment, while year-on-year comparisons are useful when shopping seasons, weather patterns, or holiday schedules create recurring rhythms. The normalization benchmark is merely a conversion scale; a level above the baseline does not imply that the economy is growing at a corresponding rate. Survey results are also influenced by news flow, prices, and the labour market at the time of the response.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a higher index mean household spending will certainly increase?
- No. Favorable sentiment can support spending, but actual behavior is driven by income, credit, prices, and savings needs.
- Why can the composite index remain stable when the economy faces significant concerns?
- Current assessments and expectations can move in opposite directions and offset each other in the headline index.
- Should the index level be compared directly with a percentage?
- No, because it is a standardized score rather than the share of positive respondents.