Released on the 25th of each month, or thereabouts. The index was started with a par of 100 in 1967. It is a monthly survey that attempts to measure consumer optimism. The market does not regard it highly because it is a reflection of uninformed opinion rather than economic indicators. However, it has traditionally managed to preempt economic and unemployment trends.
Unemployment is a key indicator.
It has a lowly rating because there are previews to it that paint most of the picture before the actual figures are released. Most important of the previews are the initial claims figures, which report the numbers looking for unemployment benefit. All the same, unemployment can still contradict expectations and cause upsets. Car sales are tremendously important to the US economy but their volatility makes them an unreliable indicator. New models introduced at the end of summer and in early spring tend to have a disproportionate influence on sales figures.