U.S. Consumer Confidence Improved in October as Covid-19 Delta Wave Eased
October 26 2021 - 11:03AM
Dow Jones News
By Xavier Fontdegloria
Consumer confidence in the U.S. increased in October following
three months of declines as concerns over the spread of the
Covid-19 Delta variant faded amid falling case counts.
The consumer confidence index increased to 113.8 in October from
a revised 109.8 in September, according to data from The Conference
Board released Tuesday. The indicator came in above the 108.0
forecast from economists polled by The Wall Street Journal.
The rise in confidence can be attributed to Americans' easing
concerns over the Covid-19 Delta variant, said Lynn Franco, senior
director of economic indicators at The Conference Board.
Consumer confidence hints Americans' willingness to spend on
goods and services, which is a major driver of the U.S. economy.
Confidence rose to almost pre-pandemic levels over the spring, but
later waned amid the spread of the Delta variant, which has weighed
on Americans' mood in the last few months.
The present situation index, which reflects consumers assessment
of current business and labor market conditions, rose to 147.4 in
October from 144.3 in September. The expectations index, which
gauges short-term outlook for income, business and labor market
conditions, climbed to 91.3 from 86.7 the previous month.
Short-term inflation concerns rose to a 13-year high, but the
impact on confidence was muted, Ms. Franco said.
The proportion of consumers planning to purchase homes,
automobiles and major appliances all increased in October, in a
sign that consumer spending will continue to support economic
growth through the final months of the year, she said. Almost half
of the respondents said they planned to take a vacation in the next
six months, the highest level since the pandemic hit.
The labor market continues to tighten and consumers are
expecting an even better job market and higher incomes than they
had since the Delta wave began to gather steam in August, MetLife
Investment Management's chief market strategist Drew Matus
said.
"Unsurprisingly, with robust labor market expectations,
consumers are saying they want to spend again," he said.
Falling Covid-19 cases should be supportive of consumer
confidence in the months ahead, but shortages of goods, delivery
delays and rising prices into the holidays season could hurt
sentiment.
Another consumer sentiment survey carried out by the University
of Michigan showed that Americans' sentiment fell in early October.
Divergences between both indicators are common as the University of
Michigan survey is more focused on consumers' attitudes toward
buying conditions, while The Conference Board's survey puts more
emphasis on labor-market conditions.
Write to Xavier Fontdegloria at xavier.fontdegloria@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
October 26, 2021 10:48 ET (14:48 GMT)
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