Consumer Confidence Fell Less Than Forecast in August
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U.S. consumer confidence declined in August by less than forecast as Americans’ assessment of current conditions climbed to the highest level in almost 19 years, helped by a job market that remains robust.
The Conference Board’s index eased to 135.1 this month from a revised 135.8, according to data from the New York-based group Aug. 27 that exceeded all estimates in a Bloomberg survey of economists. The gauge of views on the present situation jumped to 177.2, the highest since November 2000; the expectations index decreased.
American consumers’ assessment of present conditions is the highest in nearly 19 years
The reading shows hiring and income gains are keeping consumers upbeat and assuaging concerns about the economy’s prospects in light of slowing global growth, volatile financial markets and escalating U.S.-China trade tensions. The level of confidence could allow for sustained household spending that remains a mainstay of the economy.
The share of respondents who say jobs currently are plentiful jumped to 51.2%, the highest since September 2000, while the share saying jobs are hard to get declined to the lowest in three months.
