Consumer confidence falls as six-month outlook weakens

Sentiment on present conditions improves in August, but future expectations grow more pessimistic

Consumer confidence falls as six-month outlook weakens

Sentiment on present conditions improves in August, but future expectations grow more pessimistic

Consumer confidence weakened in August as consumers grew less optimistic about business, labor market and household income conditions over the next six months, according to the Consumer Confidence Index published Tuesday by the nonpartisan nonprofit The Conference Board.

The Expectations Index fell from 90.2 in July to 89.4 in August. But not all the news was negative. The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ assessments of current business and labor market conditions, broke a three-month downward trend, rising 6.8 points to 121.2.

“Consumer appraisals of current business conditions were mildly positive. Perceptions of the current labor market improved, reversing three months of moderate decline,” said Dana Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board. “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.”

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The Conference Board observed that consumers’ write-in responses on factors affecting the economy “were slightly more pessimistic in August,” referring to prices in general — specifically oil and gas. It also noted that comments about war, groceries, trade and jobs rose in August.

All three components of the Expectations Index — business conditions, labor market conditions and household income — declined in August.

Confidence declined across all age groups but remained highest among consumers under 35. Confidence was mixed by income, although higher-income groups were generally more optimistic, according to the report.

Gen Z consumers had the highest confidence levels, followed by millennials, based on a six-month moving average. Confidence among Generation X, baby boomers and the Silent Generation was considerably lower. By political affiliation, confidence declined among independents and Republicans but increased among Democrats.

The preliminary results are based on responses collected Aug. 3 to 16.

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