The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index Continues To Improve

June 24, 2014

Index at Highest Level Since January 2008

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased in May, improved again in June.  The Index now stands at 85.2, up from 82.2 in May.  The Present Situation Index increased to 85.1 from 80.3, while the Expectations Index rose to 85.2 from 83.5 in May.

Says Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board: “Consumer confidence continues to advance and the index is now at its highest level since January 2008 (87.3).  June’s increase was driven primarily by improving current conditions, particularly consumers’ assessment of business conditions.  Expectations regarding the short-term outlook for the economy and jobs were moderately more favorable, while income expectations were a bit mixed.  Still, the momentum going forward remains quite positive.”

Consumers’ appraisal of current conditions improved in June.  Those claiming business conditions are “good” increased to 23.0 percent from 21.1 percent, while those stating business conditions are “bad” decreased to 22.8 percent from 24.6 percent.  Consumers’ assessment of the job market was also more favorable.  Those stating jobs are “plentiful” edged up to 14.7 percent from 14.2 percent, while those claiming jobs are “hard to get” declined to 31.8 percent from 32.2 percent.

Consumers’ expectations were generally more positive in June.  The percentage of consumers expecting business conditions to improve over the next six months increased to 18.8 percent from 17.7 percent.  However, those expecting business conditions to worsen increased to 11.4 percent from 10.7 percent.

Consumers were more positive about the outlook for the labor market.  Those anticipating more jobs in the months ahead increased to 16.3 percent from 15.2 percent, while those anticipating fewer jobs edged down to 18.7 percent from 18.9 percent.  Fewer consumers expect their incomes to grow, 15.9 percent versus 18.0 percent, but those expecting a drop in their incomes also declined, to 12.1 percent from 14.5 percent.

Source: The Conference Board