The Conference Board describes it Consumer Confidence Index as a “barometer” of the U.S. economy from a consumer perspective. The index is one of two U.S. consumer sentiment indices, the other being the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index. The Conference Board’s index is based on perceptions of current business and employment conditions, as well as expectations of business conditions, employment and income six months into the future.
The latest survey indicates U.S. consumers think conditions are not just good, but very good. The overall index increased from a revised October reading of 126.2 to 129.5 in November. As Lynn Franco, a director at The Conference Board put it, consumer confidence is at a 17 year high.
