CB Consumer Confidence
Published:
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index measures how U.S. consumers feel about current and future economic conditions. It is based on survey questions about business conditions, jobs and household income expectations.
Full explanation
The index is calculated from the Consumer Confidence Survey, which asks households about present business and employment conditions and their expectations for business conditions, employment and income six months ahead. The headline index averages five underlying question indexes and is benchmarked to 1985 = 100. The survey is conducted online for The Conference Board and is released monthly.
Why traders watch it
Consumer confidence can affect expectations for household spending, which is a major part of U.S. GDP. Large surprises may influence USD, equity-index sentiment and rates expectations through the growth and consumption outlook.
Stronger vs weaker outcomes
A stronger-than-expected reading may suggest consumers are more willing or able to spend, possibly supporting a firmer growth outlook. A weaker-than-expected reading may point to caution among households, especially if the expectations component falls sharply.
Typical volatility
Confidence surveys measure attitudes, not actual spending, and can be sensitive to politics, gasoline prices, labor-market news and market volatility. The index should be compared with retail sales, income, inflation and labor data.
Related indicators
06/2036 NGB Auction
A Norwegian sovereign bond auction for the NOK-denominated NGB line maturing in June 2036.
10-Year BTP Auction
A Treasury auction of Italian government bonds with around 10 years remaining to maturity.
10-Year Note Auction
A U.S. Treasury auction for securities maturing in roughly 10 years, watched for pricing and demand for longer-term government debt.
11-Month Bubill Auction
An auction of short-term German Treasury discount paper with about 11 months remaining to maturity.
12-Month BTF Auction
A regular French Treasury bill auction used to fund the state at the short end of the euro yield curve.
2-Year Bond Auction
A primary-market auction of short-dated Canadian federal government bonds, watched for demand, clearing yield and signals from the front end of the Canadian yield curve.