Econoday Report: Consumer Confidence 28, 2005

2009 Economic Calendar
POWERED BY
Resource Center » U.S. & Intl Recaps \| Release Dates \| Why Investors Care \| Today's Calendar

Consumer Confidence

Definition
The Conference Board compiles a survey of consumer attitudes on present economic conditions and expectations of future conditions. Five thousand consumers across the country are surveyed each month. While the level of consumer confidence is associated with consumer spending, the two do not move in tandem each and every month. Why Investors Care

Released on 12/28/05 For Dec 2005

Confidence Index, Level
Actual	103.6
Consensus	105.0
Consensus Range	100.0 to 106.0
Previous	85.0

Highlights
The Conference Board's consumer confidence index continued its post-hurricane recovery, rising to 103.6 in December from 98.3 in November. In the wake of Katrina and the huge spike in gas, the index fell from 105.5 in August to 87.5 in September and 85.2 in October.

Job readings were solid with more saying jobs are plentiful (23.3% Dec. vs. 21.1% Nov.) and fewer saying jobs are hard to get (22.2% vs. 23.6%). Job readings are an important part of the survey and may add a bit to optimism ahead of next week's monthly employment report.

Buying plans were mixed: up for cars and appliances but down for homes. The fall in homes, to 2.8% from 3.0%, isn't severe but does cloud the outlook for the sector a little further.

Consumer confidence appears to be back on track but is still less than robust. Still the Conference Board's results do brighten the outlook, at least a bit, for consumer spending -- both in 2006 and for the 2005 holiday season. Bonds softened following the results while the dollar firmed.

Market Consensus Before Announcement
The Conference Board's consumer confidence index jumped 13.7 percentage points in November to 98.9. At least two other confidence measures have increased in December and this bodes well for the report. Labor market conditions are improving and gasoline prices are falling from their highs.

Consumer confidence Consensus Forecast for Dec 05: 105
Range: 100 to 106

Trends

Typically retail sales will move in tandem with consumer optimism - although not necessarily each and every month.

Data Source: Haver Analytics

2005 Release Schedule

Released On: 1/25 2/22 3/29 4/26 5/31 6/28 7/26 8/30 9/27 10/25 11/29 12/28

Released For: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec