Consumer confidence correlates closely with joblessness, inflation, and real incomes. The growth of help wanted advertising as measured by the Conference Board has also been a strong contributor to consumer confidence. Rising stock market prices can also boost consumer confidence. Other related concepts are those of Personal Consumption Expenditures and Retail Sales that are published monthly rather than quarterly. This is the only revision, although seasonal factors are updated periodically.
Financial markets interpret rising consumer confidence as a precursor to higher consumer spending.
Higher consumer spending could in turn is expected to spark accelerated inflation. Financial markets interpret rising consumer confidence as a precursor to higher consumer spending. Higher consumer spending could in turn is expected to spark accelerated inflation. Consumer confidence is a leading indicator for the business cycle. Release provides information on consumer assessments of the present situation and expectations for the future.