Conference Board News Release (09/30/14)

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased in August, declined in September. The index fell to 86.0 in September from 93.4 in August. The Present Situation Index decreased to 89.4 from 93.9, and the Expectations Index fell to 83.7 from 93.1.

“Consumer confidence retreated in September after four consecutive months of improvement,” says Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at the Conference Board. “A less positive assessment of the current job market, most likely due to the recent softening in growth, was the sole reason for the decline in consumers’ assessment of present-day conditions.”

Consumers anticipating more jobs in the months ahead fell from 17.8% in August to 15.2% in September, while those anticipating fewer jobs rose from 15.2% to 17.8%.