February US Consumer Confidence Rises on Gain in Expectations, Present Situation Reading Down

10:23 AM EST, 02/24/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The Conference Board's measure of consumer confidence rose to 91.2 in February from 89.0 in January, above a reading of 87.1 expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

The present situation reading fell to 120.0 from 121.8, while the expectations reading increased to 72.0 from 67.2.

The current assessment of business conditions deteriorated on net from February while labor market conditions improved slightly, though both jobs plentiful and jobs hard to get increased.

"Confidence ticked up in February after falling in January, as consumers' pessimistic expectations for the future eased somewhat," said Dana Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board. "Four of five components of the Index firmed. Nonetheless, the measure remained well below the four-year peak achieved in November 2024 (112.8)."

The survey cutoff was Feb. 17, prior to the Supreme Court's decision on tariffs and a major snowstorm in the Northeast.

The monthly consumer confidence index from the Conference Board measures consumer sentiment in the current month, with the headline index a combination of the present situation and expectations for the near future. The report also includes the current and future assessments for business and employment conditions.

An increase in the reading suggests consumers are more confident, a positive for stocks if that confidence translates into spending. Increased demand is usually inflationary, a negative for bonds.

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