The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index dropped to a four-month low in September, weighed down by rising interest rates, still-high inflation and a stalemate over the federal budget in Washington.
The Index fell for a second consecutive month, dropping to 103 in September from an upwardly revised 108.7 the month before. According to Conference Board data, the Index is at its second-lowest level this year, landing just above May’s 102.5 reading. Analysts were expecting a smaller decrease to a reading of 105.
The Index measures Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months.
Based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions, the Present Situation Index rose slightly to 147.1 from 146.7.
Based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions, the Expectations Index declined to 73.7 in September after falling to 83.3 in August. Expectations fell below 80, which historically signals a recession within the next year.
Consumer fears of an impending recession also ticked back up, consistent with the short and shallow economic contraction The Conference Board anticipates for the first half of 2024.
“Consumer confidence fell again in September 2023, marking two consecutive months of decline,” said Dana Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board. “September’s disappointing headline number reflected another decline in the Expectations Index, as the Present Situation Index was little changed. Write-in responses showed that consumers continued to be preoccupied with rising prices in general and for groceries and gasoline in particular. Consumers also expressed concerns about the political situation and higher interest rates. The decline in consumer confidence was evident across all age groups, and notably among consumers with household incomes of $50,000 or more.”
Peterson added, “Assessments of the present situation were little changed overall due to divergent views on the state of business conditions and job availability. Fewer consumers said that business conditions were good, but fewer also said they were bad. Regarding the employment situation, slightly more consumers said that jobs were “plentiful,” but also slightly more said that jobs were “hard to get.” When asked about current family financial conditions, a measure not included in calculating the Present Situation Index, the share of respondents citing a ‘good’ situation fell again, and those citing ‘bad’ conditions rose, signaling rising concerns about current family finances.
“Expectations for the next six months tumbled back below the recession threshold of 80, reflecting less confidence about future business conditions, job availability and incomes. Consumers may be hearing more bad news about corporate earnings while job openings are narrowing and interest rates continue to rise—making big-ticket items more expensive. Expectations for interest rates declined in September after surging in the prior month, but the outlook for stock prices continued to fall. Notably, average 12-month inflation expectations have held steady over the past three months despite ongoing complaints about higher prices. Still, the measure of the expected family financial situation six months hence (not included in the Expectations Index) worsened further.
“The proportion of consumers saying recession is ‘somewhat’ or ‘very likely’ rose in September after dropping in August. The fluctuating soundings likely reflect ongoing uncertainty given mixed buying plans. On a six-month moving average basis, plans to purchase autos were flat but remained at an elevated level, while plans to purchase appliances continued to trend upward. But plans to buy homes—more in line with rising interest rates—continued to trend downward.”
Photo courtesy AP
