Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for September 2023

Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI) for this month (September) was released by The Conference Board® this morning:

================

Predicted: 105.0

• Actual: 103.0

================

Previous Month (revised): 108.7

• Change from Previous Month: -5.24% (-5.7 points)
  

================

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

From Today's Report:

"...'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 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.'..."

Every month, The Conference Board sends a questionnaire to 5,000 U.S. households. Survey participants are polled about their feelings regarding the U.S. economy, current and future, and about their own fiscal circumstances. On average, 3,500 participants complete and return the 5-question survey.

• The baseline "100" score for the CCI is associated with 1985 survey data.

When consumers feel good about the economy, they tend to do more spending, and vice versa.

Based in New York City, The Conference Board is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mission to, "create and disseminate knowledge about management and the marketplace to help businesses strengthen their performance and better serve society."

The CCI is usually released on the last Tuesday of the month.

================   

CHART: Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)
September 2023 Update

================

• Click here to view the full Conference Board report.
    

================

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Import and Export Price Indexes for August 2023

The Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning released its report on U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for August 2023:

===============

Import Prices
Previous Reading:+0.1% (revised)
Actual: +0.5%

Change From 12 Months Previous: -3.0%

===============

Export Prices
Previous Reading: +0.5% (revised)
Actual: +1.3%

Change From 12 Months Previous: -5.5%

===============
 
The above percentages, highlighted in yellow, represent the month-to-month change in prices for:

• Imports: the cost of goods produced in other countries and sold in the United States.
• Exports: the cost of goods produced in the USA and sold in other countries.

Together, these indexes offer insight into the status of inflation in the United States, and for the global economy as well. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

=================

 

CHART: Import Price Index
August 2023 Update

================= 

CHART: Export Price Index
 August 2023 Update

===============

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

===============

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Producer Price Index - Final Demand (PPI-FD) for August 2023

The Producer Price Index - Final Demand (PPI-FD) for August 2023 was released this morning:

Previous Month (revised): +0.4%
Actual: +0.7%

Change from 12 months previous:  +1.6%

=============

Below is the PPI-FD when food, energy and trade services are removed:

Previous Month (revised): +0.3%
Actual: +0.3%

Change from 12 months previous:  +3.0%

=============

The above, yellow-highlighted percentages represent the month-to-month change in prices received by domestic producers of goods and services, for goods, services and construction in the United States, for final demand.

Final Demand = personal consumption (consumers), exports, government purchases and capital investment.

The PPI-FD is released by the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 ==============

 

CHART: Producer Price Index
  Final Demand (PPI-FD)
12-Month Percent Change
August 2023 Update

==============

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

==============

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Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for August 2023

Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI) for this month (August) was released by The Conference Board® this morning:

================

Predicted: 116.0

• Actual: 106.1

================

Previous Month (revised): 114.0

• Change from Previous Month: -6.93% (-7.9 points)
  

================

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

From Today's Report:

"...The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® declined in August to 106.1 (1985=100), from a downwardly revised 114.0 in July. The Present Situation Index -- based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions -- fell to 144.8 (1985=100) from 153.0. The Expectations Index -- based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions -- declined to 80.2 (1985=100) in August, reversing July’s sharp uptick to 88.0. Expectations were a hair above 80 -- the level that historically signals a recession, within the next year. Although consumer fears of an impending recession continued to recede, we still anticipate one is likely before year-end.

'Consumer confidence fell in August 2023, erasing back-to-back increases in June and July,' said Dana Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board. 'August’s disappointing headline number reflected dips in both the current conditions and expectations indexes. Write-in responses showed that consumers were once again preoccupied with rising prices in general, and for groceries and gasoline in particular. The pullback in consumer confidence was evident across all age groups -- and most notable among consumers with household incomes of $100,000 or more, as well as those earning less than $50,000. Confidence held relatively steady for consumers with incomes between $50,000 and $99,999.'..."

Every month, The Conference Board sends a questionnaire to 5,000 U.S. households. Survey participants are polled about their feelings regarding the U.S. economy, current and future, and about their own fiscal circumstances. On average, 3,500 participants complete and return the 5-question survey.

• The baseline "100" score for the CCI is associated with 1985 survey data.

When consumers feel good about the economy, they tend to do more spending, and vice versa.

Based in New York City, The Conference Board is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mission to, "create and disseminate knowledge about management and the marketplace to help businesses strengthen their performance and better serve society."

The CCI is usually released on the last Tuesday of the month.

================   

CHART: Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)
 August 2023 Update

================

• Click here to view the full Conference Board report.
    

================

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Import and Export Price Indexes for July 2023

The Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning released its report on U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for July 2023:

===============

Import Prices
Previous Reading:-0.1% (revised)
Actual: +0.4%

Change From 12 Months Previous: -4.4%

===============

Export Prices
Previous Reading: -0.7% (revised)
Actual: +0.7%

Change From 12 Months Previous: -7.9%

===============
 
The above percentages, highlighted in yellow, represent the month-to-month change in prices for:

• Imports: the cost of goods produced in other countries and sold in the United States.
• Exports: the cost of goods produced in the USA and sold in other countries.

Together, these indexes offer insight into the status of inflation in the United States, and for the global economy as well. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

=================

 

CHART: Import Price Index
 July 2023 Update

================= 

CHART: Export Price Index
 July 2023 Update

===============

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

===============

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U.S. Retail And Food Services Sales Report for July 2023

The Commerce Department this morning released advance estimates of U.S. Retail and Food Services Sales for July 2023:

Predicted: +0.5%

• Actual:  +0.73%(+$5,042,000)

The yellow-highlighted percentage above represents the month-to-month change in total sales receipts for retailers that sell durable and non-durable goods, and retailers that provide food and beverage services.

=================

• Estimated Retail Sales During July 2023: $696,354,000,000

• Change From 12 Months Previous: +3.17% (+$21,422,000,000)

=================

CHART: Retail Sales - Monthly
January 2022 Thru July 2023
Seasonally Adjusted

=================

• Click here to view the full Commerce Department report.
  
  

=================

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Producer Price Index - Final Demand (PPI-FD) for July 2023

The Producer Price Index - Final Demand (PPI-FD) for July 2023 was released this morning:

Previous Month (revised): FLAT
Actual: +0.3%

Change from 12 months previous:  +0.8%

=============

Below is the PPI-FD when food, energy and trade services are removed:

Previous Month: +0.1%
Actual: +0.2%

Change from 12 months previous:  +2.7%

=============

The above, yellow-highlighted percentages represent the month-to-month change in prices received by domestic producers of goods and services, for goods, services and construction in the United States, for final demand.

Final Demand = personal consumption (consumers), exports, government purchases and capital investment.

The PPI-FD is released by the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 ==============

 

CHART: Producer Price Index
  Final Demand (PPI-FD)
12-Month Percent Change
July 2023 Update

==============

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

==============

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Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for July 2023

Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI) for this month (July) was released by The Conference Board® this morning:

================

Predicted: 112.0

• Actual: 117.0

================

Previous Month (revised): 110.1

• Change from Previous Month: +6.27% (+6.9 points)
  

================

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

From Today's Report:

"...The Expectations Index -- based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions -- improved to 88.3 (1985=100) from 80.0 in June. Importantly, Expectations climbed well above 80 -- the level that historically signals a recession within the next year. Despite rising interest rates, consumers are more upbeat, likely reflecting lower inflation and a tight labor market. Although consumers are less convinced of a recession ahead, we still anticipate one likely before year-end.

'Consumer confidence rose in July 2023 to its highest level since July 2021, reflecting pops in both current conditions and expectations,' said Dana Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board. 'Headline confidence appears to have broken out of the sideways trend that prevailed for much of the last year. Greater confidence was evident across all age groups, and among both consumers earning incomes less than $50,000 and those making more than $100,000.'..."

Every month, The Conference Board sends a questionnaire to 5,000 U.S. households. Survey participants are polled about their feelings regarding the U.S. economy, current and future, and about their own fiscal circumstances. On average, 3,500 participants complete and return the 5-question survey.

• The baseline "100" score for the CCI is associated with 1985 survey data.

When consumers feel good about the economy, they tend to do more spending, and vice versa.

Based in New York City, The Conference Board is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mission to, "create and disseminate knowledge about management and the marketplace to help businesses strengthen their performance and better serve society."

The CCI is usually released on the last Tuesday of the month.

================   

CHART: Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)
 July 2023 Update

================

• Click here to view the full Conference Board report.
    

================

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U.S. Retail And Food Services Sales Report for June 2023

The Commerce Department this morning released advance estimates of U.S. Retail and Food Services Sales for June 2023:

Predicted: +0.5%

• Actual:  +0.194%(+$1,338,000)

The yellow-highlighted percentage above represents the month-to-month change in total sales receipts for retailers that sell durable and non-durable goods, and retailers that provide food and beverage services.

=================

• Estimated Retail Sales During June 2023: $689,499,000,000

• Change From 12 Months Previous: +1.49% (+$10,123,000,000)

=================

 

CHART: Retail Sales During June 2023

=================

• Click here to view the full Commerce Department report.
  
  

=================

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Import and Export Price Indexes for June 2023

The Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning released its report on U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for June 2023:

===============

Import Prices
Previous Reading:-0.4% (revised)
Actual: -0.2%

Change From 12 Months Previous: -6.1%

===============

Export Prices
Previous Reading: -1.9%
Actual: -0.9%

Change From 12 Months Previous: -12.0%

===============
 
The above percentages, highlighted in yellow, represent the month-to-month change in prices for:

• Imports: the cost of goods produced in other countries and sold in the United States.
• Exports: the cost of goods produced in the USA and sold in other countries.

Together, these indexes offer insight into the status of inflation in the United States, and for the global economy as well. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

=================

 

CHART: Import Price Index
 June 2023 Update

================= 

CHART: Export Price Index
 June 2023 Update

===============

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

===============

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Producer Price Index - Final Demand (PPI-FD) for June 2023

The Producer Price Index - Final Demand (PPI-FD) for June 2023 was released this morning:

Previous Month: -0.4%
Actual: +0.1%

Change from 12 months previous:  +0.1%

=============

Below is the PPI-FD when food, energy and trade services are removed:

Previous Month: FLAT
Actual: +0.1%

Change from 12 months previous:  +2.6%

=============

The above, yellow-highlighted percentages represent the month-to-month change in prices received by domestic producers of goods and services, for goods, services and construction in the United States, for final demand.

Final Demand = personal consumption (consumers), exports, government purchases and capital investment.

The PPI-FD is released by the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 ==============

 

CHART: Producer Price Index
  Final Demand (PPI-FD)
12-Month Percent Change
June 2023 Update

==============

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

==============

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NFIB Small Business Optimism Index for June 2023

The National Federation of Independent Business® (NFIB®) released its Small Business Optimism Index for June 2023:

=========

Predicted: 90.0
Actual: 91.0

• Change from Previous Month: +1.79% (+1.6 points.)

• Change from 12 Months Previous: +1.68% (+1.5 points.)

=========

CHART: NFIB Small Business Optimism Index
June 2023 Update 

=========

 

From Today's Report:

"...'Halfway through the year, small business owners remain very pessimistic about future business conditions and their sales prospects, said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. 'Inflation and labor shortages continue to be great challenges for small businesses. Owners are still raising selling prices at an inflationary level to try to pass on higher inventory, labor, and energy costs.'...'

Key Findings Include:

    -- Forty-two percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill, down two points from May but remaining historically very high.

    -- Small business owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months improved 10 points from May to a net negative 40%, 21 percentage points better than last June’s reading of a net negative 61%.

    -- The net percent of owners who expect real sales to be higher improved seven points from May to a net negative 14%..."

=========

• The baseline "100" score is associated with 1986 survey data.
  

=========

The previous month's Small Business Optimism Index was 89.4.

=========

• Click here to view the full NFIB report

 
=========

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Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for June 2023

Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI) for this month (June) was released by The Conference Board® this morning:

================

Predicted: 105.0

• Actual: 109.7

================

Previous Month (revised): 102.5

• Change from Previous Month: +7.02% (+7.2 points)
  

================

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

From Today's Report:

"...'Consumer confidence improved in June to its highest level since January 2022, reflecting improved current conditions and a pop in expectations,' said Dana Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board. 'Greater confidence was most evident among consumers under age 35, and consumers earning incomes over $35,000. Nonetheless, the expectations gauge continued to signal consumers anticipating a recession at some point over the next 6 to 12 months.'

'Assessments of the present situation rose in June on sunnier views of both business and employment conditions. Indeed, the spread between consumers saying jobs are ‘plentiful’ versus ‘not so plentiful’ widened, indicating upbeat feelings about a labor market that continues to outperform. Likewise, expectations for the next six months improved materially, reflecting greater confidence about future business conditions and job availability.'

'While income expectations ticked down slightly in June, new questions included in this month’s release found a notably brighter outlook for consumers’ family finances: Around 30 percent expect their family’s financial situation to be ‘better’ in the next six months, compared to less than 14 percent expecting it to be ‘worse.’ This might reflect consumers’ belief that labor market conditions will remain favorable and that there will be further declines in inflation ahead. Indeed, the 12-month forward inflation expectations gauge fell to 6 percent in June, the lowest reading since December 2020.'

 'Although the Expectations Index remained a hair below the threshold signaling recession ahead, a new measure found considerably fewer consumers now expect a recession in the next 12 months compared to May. Meanwhile, on a six-month moving average basis, plans to purchase autos and homes have slowed, after picking up earlier in 2023. This may reflect rising costs to finance big-ticket items as the Fed continues to raise interest rates. Meanwhile, vacation plans within the next six months continued to flag, led largely by declines in plans to travel domestically. This is an important indicator of desires to spend on services ahead, which may be a signal that post-pandemic ‘revenge spending’ on travel may have peaked and is likely to slow over the rest of this year.'..."

Every month, The Conference Board sends a questionnaire to 5,000 U.S. households. Survey participants are polled about their feelings regarding the U.S. economy, current and future, and about their own fiscal circumstances. On average, 3,500 participants complete and return the 5-question survey.

• The baseline "100" score for the CCI is associated with 1985 survey data.

When consumers feel good about the economy, they tend to do more spending, and vice versa.

Based in New York City, The Conference Board is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mission to, "create and disseminate knowledge about management and the marketplace to help businesses strengthen their performance and better serve society."

The CCI is usually released on the last Tuesday of the month.

================   

CHART: Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)
 June 2023 Update

================

• Click here to view the full Conference Board report.
    

================

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Import and Export Price Indexes for May 2023

The Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning released its report on U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for May 2023:

===============

Import Prices
Previous Reading:+0.3% (revised)
Actual: -0.6%

Change From 12 Months Previous: -5.9%

===============

Export Prices
Previous Reading: -0.1% (revised)
Actual: -1.9%

Change From 12 Months Previous: -10.1%

===============
 
The above percentages, highlighted in yellow, represent the month-to-month change in prices for:

• Imports: the cost of goods produced in other countries and sold in the United States.
• Exports: the cost of goods produced in the USA and sold in other countries.

Together, these indexes offer insight into the status of inflation in the United States, and for the global economy as well. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

=================

 

CHART: Import Price Index
 May 2023 Update

================= 

CHART: Export Price Index
 May 2023 Update

===============

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

===============

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ISM Non-Manufacturing Index (NMI®) for May 2023

Earlier today, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM®) released their Non-Manufacturing Index (NMI®) for May 2023:

==========

Predicted: 51.0%

• Actual: 50.3%  (-1.6 points month-on-month change)

==========

Previous month (revised): 51.9%

==========

The NMI is a reliable barometer of the U.S. services sector; above 50% implies expansion, while a reading below 50% implies that the services sector contracted.

Service Categories Include: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing + Hunting; Mining; Utilities; Construction; Wholesale Trade; Retail Trade; Transportation + Warehousing; Information; Finance + Insurance; Real Estate, Rental + Leasing; Professional, Scientific + Technical Services; Management of Companies + Support Services; Educational Services; Health Care + Social Assistance; Arts, Entertainment + Recreation; Accommodation + Food Services; Public Administration; and Other Services (services such as Equipment + Machinery Repairing; Promoting or Administering Religious Activities; Grantmaking; Advocacy; and Providing Dry-Cleaning + Laundry Services, Personal Care Services, Death Care Services, Pet Care Services, Photofinishing Services, Temporary Parking Services, and Dating Services).

==========

From today' report:

"...Economic activity in the services sector expanded in May for the fifth consecutive month as the Services PMI® registered 50.3 percent, say the nation's purchasing and supply executives in the latest Services ISM® Report On Business®. The sector has grown in 35 of the last 36 months, with the lone contraction in December of last year..."

===========

Here's A Sampling Of Comments
Made By Survey Participants:

• "...'Restaurant sales continue to track positive year over year, up an average of 8% past month. Employment needs have leveled off, and we are in a position to evaluate and upgrade rather than just maintain. Supply chain pressures have eased overall with some categories still hot spots. We are in a position to continue investing in technology upgrades and restaurant remodels.'
  [Accommodation & Food Services]
  

• 'Overall slowing growth and market conditions dragging on some construction sectors.'
  [Construction]
  

• 'As a higher-education institute, enrollment will have a major impact on our institution. Factors to consider will be the economy (state and national), as well as continued funding for education. Our enrollment is currently projected to drop 2.5%, which will have a negative effect on our budget.'
  [Educational Services]
  

• 'Pent-up demand for services is driving strong revenue performance, but expenses (labor and supplies) continue to put pressure on margins, hindering the financial forecast. There is modest improvement in financial metrics, but it is becoming clear we will have to find ways to do more with less. Supply chains are stabilizing, though some segments remain choppy. The overall outlook, however, suggests the forecast is good for the next quarter. Pent-up demand for services is also causing capacity constraints, but we appear to be managing appropriately at this time.'
  [Health Care & Social Assistance]
  

• 'Electronic components supply is strong, and lead times are nearly back to pre-pandemic.'
  [Information]
  

• 'Economy is slowing amid increased financial banking and leasing activity. Credit standards have increased, and approvals have fallen -- thus, a tight credit situation.'
  [Management of Companies & Support Services]
  

• 'Everything seems to have leveled off: not getting any worse, not getting any better.'
  [Professional, Scientific & Technical Services]
  

• 'Lead times are starting to shorten, due in part to greater transportation availability. Prices, in general, are continuing to increase but at a slower pace. Supply chain is becoming much more reliable.'
  [Public Administration]
  

• 'Overall business is good, and there has not been a significant change in direction.'
  [Retail Trade]
  

• 'Business has significantly increased, with more orders, newer customers and more activity in general. More end users are getting back to business as usual, fighting for lower prices and taking a few more days to pay. The leverage point seems to have shifted back to end users, which is healthy.'
  [Transportation & Warehousing]
  

• 'Business conditions continue to remain elevated as CapEx (capital expenditures) spending in clean energy follows regulatory demands.'
  [Utilities]
  

• 'Supply is plentiful, freight is moving quickly and costs are coming down. This is a 180-degree change from a year ago. Also, sales demand is down.'
  [Wholesale Trade]..."
  
  

===========

• Click here to view the complete ISM report
  
  
•  Charts

==========

CHART: ISM Non-Manufacturing (Services) Index
(NMI®) May 2023 Update

==========

 

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Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for May 2023

Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI) for this month (May) was released by The Conference Board® this morning:

================

Predicted: 99.9

• Actual: 102.3

================

Previous Month (revised): 103.7

• Change from Previous Month: -1.35% (-1.4 points)
  

================

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

From Today's Report:

"...'Consumer confidence declined in May as consumers’ view of current conditions became somewhat less upbeat while their expectations remained gloomy,' said Ataman Ozyildirim, Senior Director, Economics at The Conference Board.' Their assessment of current employment conditions saw the most significant deterioration, with the proportion of consumers reporting jobs are ‘plentiful’ falling 4 percentage points from 47.5% in April to 43.5% in May. Consumers also became more downbeat about future business conditions, weighing on the expectations index. However, expectations for jobs and incomes over the next six months held relatively steady. While consumer confidence has fallen across all age and income categories over the past three months, May’s decline reflects a particularly notable worsening in the outlook among consumers over 55 years of age.' 

'Consumers’ inflation expectations remain elevated, but stable. Consumers in May expected inflation to average 6.1% over the next 12 months, essentially unchanged from 6.2% in April, though down substantially from the peak of 7.9% reached last year. Nonetheless, consumers continued to view inflation as a major influence on their view of the US economy. Plans to purchase homes in the next six months held steady in May at around 5.6 percent, but was still notably down from 6 to 7 percent in Q4 2022. Meanwhile, plans to purchase autos and big-ticket appliances ticked up somewhat compared to April.'..."

Every month, The Conference Board sends a questionnaire to 5,000 U.S. households. Survey participants are polled about their feelings regarding the U.S. economy, current and future, and about their own fiscal circumstances. On average, 3,500 participants complete and return the 5-question survey.

• The baseline "100" score for the CCI is associated with 1985 survey data.

When consumers feel good about the economy, they tend to do more spending, and vice versa.

Based in New York City, The Conference Board is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mission to, "create and disseminate knowledge about management and the marketplace to help businesses strengthen their performance and better serve society."

The CCI is usually released on the last Tuesday of the month.

================   

CHART: Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)
 May 2023 Update

================

• Click here to view the full Conference Board report.
    

================

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U.S. Retail And Food Services Sales Report for April 2023

The Commerce Department this morning released advance estimates of U.S. Retail and Food Services Sales for April 2023:

Predicted: +0.5%

• Actual:  +0.421%(+$2,873,000)

The yellow-highlighted percentage above represents the month-to-month change in total sales receipts for retailers that sell durable and non-durable goods, and retailers that provide food and beverage services.

=================

• Estimated Retail Sales During April 2023: $686,052,000,000

• Change From 12 Months Previous: +1.57% (+$10,775,000,000)

=================

 

CHART: Retail Sales During April 2023

=================

• Click here to view the full Commerce Department report.
  
  

=================

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Import and Export Price Indexes for April 2023

The Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning released its report on U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for April 2023:

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Import Prices
Predicted: +0.4%
Actual: +0.4%

Change From 12 Months Previous: -4.8%

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Export Prices
Predicted: +0.1%
Actual: +0.2%

Change From 12 Months Previous: -5.9%

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The above percentages, highlighted in yellow, represent the month-to-month change in prices for:

• Imports: the cost of goods produced in other countries and sold in the United States.
• Exports: the cost of goods produced in the USA and sold in other countries.

Together, these indexes offer insight into the status of inflation in the United States, and for the global economy as well. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

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CHART: Import Price Index
 April 2023 Update

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CHART: Export Price Index
 April 2023 Update

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• Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

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