Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for SEPTEMBER 2026

The Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI) for this month (September, 2026) was released by The Conference Board®:

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Predicted: 85.0

• Actual: 81.9

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Previous Month (revised): 88.6

• Change from Previous Month: -7.56% (-6.7 points)

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The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

From Today's Report:

"...'The Consumer Confidence Index deteriorated notably in September, following two prior months of softening,' said  Dana M Peterson, Chief Economist, The Conference Board. 'The Present Situation Index fell sharply, while the Expectations Index slipped further into negative territory. Consumer appraisals of current business conditions became negative for the first time since September 2024. Perceptions of the current labor market also worsened, though remained within positive territory. Over the next six months, consumers expected both business conditions and the labor market to weaken. Consumers still anticipated their household incomes to rise, but less so compared to previous months.'

Peterson continued: 'Consumers’ write-in responses regarding factors affecting the economy were mostly pessimistic in September. References to prices, the high cost of goods and services, and oil and gas prices in particular, rose to new heights, reflecting September’s surge in fuel costs. Comments about war/conflict eased this month but remained elevated. Consumers also frequently cited politics, trade, and employment in their write-in responses, though to a lesser extent.'..."

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Every month, The Conference Board sends a questionnaire to 5,000 U.S. households. Survey participants are polled about their feelings regarding the U.S. economy, current and future, and about their own fiscal circumstances. On average, 3,500 participants complete and return the 5-question survey.

• The baseline "100" score for the CCI is associated with 1985 survey data.

When consumers feel good about the economy, they tend to do more spending, and vice versa.

Based in New York City, The Conference Board® is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mission to, "create and disseminate knowledge about management and the marketplace to help businesses strengthen their performance and better serve society."

The CCI is usually released on the last Tuesday of the month.

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CHART: Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI)

SEPTEMBER 2026 Update

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• Click here to view the full Conference Board report.

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Consumer Sentiment: FINAL Results for SEPTEMBER 2026

Here are the FINAL Results of the University of Michigan's Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS), for September, 2026:

Predicted: 48.0

• Actual: 48.1

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• Change from Previous Month: -6.96% (-3.6 points)
  
  

• Change from 12-Months Previous: -12.7% (-7.0 points)

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• Final ICS Reading for August, 2026: 51.7
  
  
• Final ICS Reading for September, 2025: 55.1

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From Today's Report:

"...Consumer sentiment ticked down less than four index points in September, reaching the lowest reading in four months and down 15% from January 2026. Views of current and year-ahead expected personal finances both weakened about 10% this month, with concerns over high prices continuing to climb.

Buying conditions for durables improved a bit, in part due to a perception that completing such purchases now would help consumers avoid higher prices in the future. The short-run outlook for business conditions plunged amid renewed worries that elevated fuel prices and re-escalating trade disputes could pass through to the economy as a whole.

Overall, interviews reveal broad agreement across the political spectrum that the outlook for the economy has weakened since the beginning of the year. After particularly large declines in sentiment this month, Republican sentiment is now 20% lower than January 2026; Democrats are down 13% over the same period.

Year-ahead inflation expectations jumped from 4.0% last month to 4.6% this month, the highest reading since June. The current reading substantially exceeds the 3.4% seen in February before the Iran [invasion] began, along with all 2024 readings. Long-run inflation expectations ticked up to 3.4%, ending three consecutive months at 3.3%. These expectations remain higher than their 2024 range of 2.8% to 3.2%..."

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 CHART: Index of Consumer Sentiment
Final Results
September 2026 UPDATE

 

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The ICS is derived from the following five survey questions:

1. "We are interested in how people are getting along financially these days. Would you say that you (and your family living there) are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?"
   
   
2. "Now looking ahead, do you think that a year from now you (and your family living there) will be better off financially, or worse off, or just about the same as now?"
   
   
3. "Now turning to business conditions in the country as a whole, do you think that during the next twelve months we'll have good times financially, or bad times, or what?"
   
   
4. "Looking ahead, which would you say is more likely: that in the country as a whole we'll have continuous good times during the next five years or so, or that we will have periods of widespread unemployment or depression, or what?"
   
   
5. "About the big things people buy for their homes, such as furniture, a refrigerator, stove, television, and things like that. Generally speaking, do you think now is a good or bad time for people to buy major household items?"
   

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• Click here for more on how the ICS is calculated.

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The ICS uses a 1966 baseline, i.e. for 1966, the ICS = 100. So any number that is below the 1966 baseline of 100 means that the folks who were polled recently aren't as optimistic about the U.S. economy as those polled back in 1966.

The ICS is similar to the Consumer Confidence Index in that they both measure consumer attitudes and offer valuable insight into consumer spending.

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The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

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• Click here to view the full University of Michigan report.

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Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for AUGUST 2026

The Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI) for this month (August, 2026) was released by The Conference Board®:

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Predicted: 90.0

• Actual: 89.4

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Previous Month (revised): 90.2

• Change from Previous Month: -0.89% (-0.8 point)
  

================

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

From Today's Report:

"...'Consumer confidence moderated slightly in August for a second consecutive month,' said  Dana M Peterson, Chief Economist, The Conference Board. 'The Expectations Index slipped further into negative territory, which was offset by a moderate rise in the Present Situation Index after declining in the past three months.

Consumer appraisals of current business conditions were mildly positive. Perceptions of the current labor market improved, reversing three months of moderate decline. Looking ahead, consumers were more pessimistic about business conditions and the labor market over the next six months. Expectations for household incomes moderated but remained optimistic overall.'..."

================

Every month, The Conference Board sends a questionnaire to 5,000 U.S. households. Survey participants are polled about their feelings regarding the U.S. economy, current and future, and about their own fiscal circumstances. On average, 3,500 participants complete and return the 5-question survey.

• The baseline "100" score for the CCI is associated with 1985 survey data.

When consumers feel good about the economy, they tend to do more spending, and vice versa.

Based in New York City, The Conference Board® is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mission to, "create and disseminate knowledge about management and the marketplace to help businesses strengthen their performance and better serve society."

The CCI is usually released on the last Tuesday of the month.

================  

CHART: Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI)

AUGUST 2026 Update

========================================

• Click here to view the full Conference Board report.

========================================= 

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Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for JULY 2026

Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI) for this month (July, 2026) was released by The Conference Board®:

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Predicted: 91.0

• Actual: 90.8

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Previous Month (revised): 92.2

• Change from Previous Month: -1.52% (-1.4 points)
  

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The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

From Today's Report:

"...Consumer Assessments of the Present Situation Softened for a Third Straight Month

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® decreased by 1.4 points to 90.8 (1985=100) in July, down from an upwardly revised 92.2 in June. The Present Situation Index -- based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions -- fell by 3.6 points to 114.9, its third consecutive monthly decline.

The Expectations Index -- based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions -- remained unchanged at 74.7. The survey period for this month’s preliminary results was July 1–22, encompassing ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

'Consumer confidence moderated slightly in July, continuing a general downward sloping trajectory since late 2021,' said Dana M Peterson, Chief Economist, The Conference Board. 'The Present Situation Index was less positive for a third consecutive month while the Expectations Index remained in negative territory.

Consumer appraisals of current business conditions and, to a lesser extent, perceptions of the current labor market both softened. Looking ahead, consumers anticipate little improvement in business conditions over the next six months, but expectations for the labor market were slightly less negative. Expectations for household incomes moderated but remained optimistic overall.'..."

================

Every month, The Conference Board sends a questionnaire to 5,000 U.S. households. Survey participants are polled about their feelings regarding the U.S. economy, current and future, and about their own fiscal circumstances. On average, 3,500 participants complete and return the 5-question survey.

• The baseline "100" score for the CCI is associated with 1985 survey data.

When consumers feel good about the economy, they tend to do more spending, and vice versa.

Based in New York City, The Conference Board® is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mission to, "create and disseminate knowledge about management and the marketplace to help businesses strengthen their performance and better serve society."

The CCI is usually released on the last Tuesday of the month.

================  

CHART: Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI)

JULY 2026 Update

========================================

• Click here to view the full Conference Board report.

========================================= 

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Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for JUNE 2026

Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI) for this month (June, 2026) was released by The Conference Board®:

================

Predicted: 92.0

• Actual: 91.2

================

Previous Month (revised): 90.6

• Change from Previous Month: +0.66% (+0.6 point)
  

================

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

From Today's Report:

"...'Consumer confidence inched up in June as falling oil prices in recent weeks provided some relief to consumer inflation fears,' said Dana M Peterson, Chief Economist, The Conference Board.  'Consumer appraisals of current business conditions were slightly more positive compared to last month.

However, perceptions of the current labor market softened measurably as the percentage of consumers saying jobs were ‘hard to get’ rose to 22.5%, the highest level since January 2021 (22.8%).

Moreover, consumers anticipate little change in the labor market six months from now. This was offset by improving expectations for business conditions and incomes.'..."

================

Every month, The Conference Board sends a questionnaire to 5,000 U.S. households. Survey participants are polled about their feelings regarding the U.S. economy, current and future, and about their own fiscal circumstances. On average, 3,500 participants complete and return the 5-question survey.

• The baseline "100" score for the CCI is associated with 1985 survey data.

When consumers feel good about the economy, they tend to do more spending, and vice versa.

Based in New York City, The Conference Board® is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mission to, "create and disseminate knowledge about management and the marketplace to help businesses strengthen their performance and better serve society."

The CCI is usually released on the last Tuesday of the month.

================  

CHART: Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI)

JUNE 2026 Update

========================================

• Click here to view the full Conference Board report.

========================================= 

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Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for MAY 2026

Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI) for this month (May, 2026) was released by The Conference Board®:

================

Predicted: 92.0

• Actual: 93.1

================

Previous Month (revised): 93.8

• Change from Previous Month: -0.75% (-0.7 point)
  

================

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

From Today's Report:

"...'Consumer confidence edged downward in May as the inflationary impacts of the [invasion of Iran] intensified,' said  Dana M Peterson, Chief Economist, The Conference Board. 'Consumer appraisals of current business conditions and the current labor market were moderately less positive compared to last month.

This was somewhat offset by modest improvements in consumers’ expectations for business conditions and the labor market six months from now. Meanwhile, income expectations eased in May, as those anticipating less income rose.'..."

================

Every month, The Conference Board sends a questionnaire to 5,000 U.S. households. Survey participants are polled about their feelings regarding the U.S. economy, current and future, and about their own fiscal circumstances. On average, 3,500 participants complete and return the 5-question survey.

• The baseline "100" score for the CCI is associated with 1985 survey data.

When consumers feel good about the economy, they tend to do more spending, and vice versa.

Based in New York City, The Conference Board® is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mission to, "create and disseminate knowledge about management and the marketplace to help businesses strengthen their performance and better serve society."

The CCI is usually released on the last Tuesday of the month.

================  

CHART: Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI)

MAY 2026 Update

========================================

• Click here to view the full Conference Board report.

========================================= 

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March 27, 2026 Stock Market | Market Correction Update

March 27, 2026: The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) finished the week in correction territory, joining the NASDAQ Composite index, which fell into correction yesterday (March 26.)

NYMEX front month WTI crude oil closed at $101.16 per barrel (CHART)... 

 

Since Closing @ Record-Highs:

• DJIA: -10.01% (-5,021.50 points) - CHART
  
  

• NASDAQ Composite: -12.56% (-3,010.11 points) - CHART
  
  
• S&P 500: -8.74% (-609.75 points) - CHART

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CHART: NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Price History
March 27, 2026 UPDATE
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CHART: NASDAQ Composite Index
March 27, 2026 UPDATE
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• Currently, our odds are at 90% (likely) the Fed will do nothing with the benchmark target range for the fed funds rate at the next FOMC monetary policy meeting on April 29, 2026.

Stay tuned...

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