Consumer Confidence
Survey measuring how optimistic consumers feel about the economy.
Quick Answer
Consumer Confidence surveys measure how optimistic or pessimistic consumers are about current and future economic conditions. Two main surveys exist: Conference Board (released end of month) and University of Michigan (mid-month). High confidence suggests consumers will spend; low confidence suggests caution.
On This Page
Overview
Consumer Confidence surveys measure how optimistic or pessimistic consumers are about current and future economic conditions. Two main surveys exist: Conference Board (released end of month) and University of Michigan (mid-month). High confidence suggests consumers will spend; low confidence suggests caution.
What It Is
Consumer Confidence measures how people feel about the economy and their financial situation. It's based on surveys asking about job prospects, income expectations, and willingness to make big purchases.
Timing & Schedule
Typical Time
10:00 AM ET (Conference Board) / 10:00 AM ET (Michigan)
Schedule Notes
Conference Board: Last Tuesday of month. Michigan: Preliminary mid-month, final end of month.
Typical Schedule
Every month
Key Metrics to Watch
Trading Strategies
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overweighting sentiment data
Why It Happens
How to Avoid
Be aware and plan accordingly
Historical Examples
Consumer confidence fell sharply on inflation and job worries.
Consumer confidence fell sharply on inflation and job worries.
Market Reaction:
Preparation Checklist
- Focus on inflation expectations (Fed watches this)
- Compare to actual spending data for context