Conference Board News Release (06/25/13)

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose to 81.4 in June from 74.3 in May, marking the third-consecutive monthly gain and the highest level since January 2008. Increases were also recorded in the Present Situation Index, which rose from 64.8 to 69.2, and the Expectations Index, which climbed from 80.6 to 89.5.

“Consumers are considerably more positive about current business and labor market conditions than they were at the beginning of the year,” says Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at the Conference Board. In terms of consumers’ outlook for the labor market, 19.6% expect more jobs in the coming months, up from 16.3%; 16.1% anticipate fewer jobs, down from 20%; 15.2% expect their incomes to rise, down from 15.6%; and 14.4% predict a decrease in income, down from 15.3%.