The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® fell by 9.7 points in January to 84.5 (1985=100), from an upwardly revised 94.2 in December. A 5.1-point upward revision to December's reading of the Index resulted in a slight increase last month, reversing the initially reported decline. However, January's preliminary results showed confidence resumed declining after a one-month uptick. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions—dropped by 9.9 points to 113.7 in January. The Expectations Index—based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, ... (full story)

After Boomers and Gen X dragged The Conference Board Confidence measure down to eight month lows to end 2025, expectations were for a rebound to start 2026. But, reality was far worse with the headline plunging from 94.2 (revised up from 89.1) to 84.5 (well below the 91.0 expected) - the lowest since May 2014. The Present Situation Index - based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions - plummeted by 9.9 points to 113.7 in January (from an upwardly revised 123.6). The Expectations Index - based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions - tumbled ... (full story)