NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2026 —
U.S. consumer confidence rose in October from September, according to the Conference Board's monthly Consumer Confidence Survey, released Tuesday.
The numbers
According to the Conference Board:
- Overall index: rose 7.5 points to 91.7 (1985=100), up from 84.2 in September, which was revised slightly higher.
- Present Situation Index (views of current business and job conditions): up 8.6 points to 120.4.
- Expectations Index (the short-term outlook for income, business and jobs): up 6.9 points to 72.6, which the group says "only partially" reverses three straight monthly declines.
- Jobs: 26.7% of consumers said jobs were "plentiful," up from 24.3%, while 21.4% said jobs were "hard to get," unchanged.
- Inflation expectations: consumers' average 12-month inflation expectation declined but "remained elevated at 5.8%."
- Travel: 43.3% of consumers plan a vacation in the next six months, down from 44.2% in September.
The preliminary results are based on a survey taken Oct. 1-21.
What the Conference Board said
"The recovery was in line with retail gasoline prices easing from September to October," said Fergus McCormick, senior economist for global indicators at the Conference Board. "Yet, despite the increase in October, consumer confidence remained on the long-term downward trend that's persisted over the past few years. Consumers planned less spending on services and durable goods over the next six months."
He added that in written comments, "consumers continued to express frustration with rising costs."
The White House posted on X Tuesday: "U.S. consumer confidence rises sharply in October."
What's next
The Conference Board says its next release is Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m. ET.
That's the full picture from the source. What it means for your budget is your call.
Source: The Conference Board, Consumer Confidence Survey press release, Oct. 27, 2026; White House post on X, Oct. 27, 2026.
← More Money stories · All Launchpad stories · Spotted an error? Request a correction.