United States Consumer Sentiment  1952-2018 | Data | Chart | Calendar

The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment for the US fell to 97.1 in July of 2018 from 98.2 in June, missing market expectations of 98.2. It is the lowest reading in six months, due to a drop in the current conditions gauge amid rising concerns about the potential negative impact of tariffs on the domestic economy, preliminary estimates showed. Consumer Confidence in the United States averaged 86.35 Index Points from 1952 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 111.40 Index Points in January of 2000 and a record low of 51.70 Index Points in May of 1980.

United States Consumer Sentiment
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US Consumer Sentiment at 6-Month Low


The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment for the US fell to 97.1 in July of 2018 from 98.2 in June, missing market expectations of 98.2. It is the lowest reading in six months, due to a drop in the current conditions gauge amid rising concerns about the potential negative impact of tariffs on the domestic economy, preliminary estimates showed.

The current economic conditions sub-index went down to 113.9 from 116.5 in June while the gauge measuring consumer expectations edged up to 86.4 from 86.3. Inflation expectations for the year ahead edged down to 2.9 percent from 3 percent and the 5-year outlook for inflation slowed to 2.4 percent from 2.6 percent.

Consumer sentiment slipped in early July but remained nearly equal to the average in the prior twelve months (97.7) and since the start of 2017 (97.4). The continuing strength has been due to favorable job and income prospects, with consumers under age 45 anticipating the largest income gains since July 2000. So far, the strength in jobs and incomes has overcome higher inflation and interest rates. The darkening cloud on the horizon, however, is due to rising concerns about the potential negative impact of tariffs on the domestic economy. Negative concerns about the impact of tariffs have recently accelerated, rising from 15% in May, to 21% in June, and 38% in July (see the chart). Among those in the top third of the income distribution (who account for half of consumer spending), 52% negatively mentioned the impact of tariffs on the economy in early July. The primary concerns expressed by consumers were a decline in the future pace of economic growth and an uptick in inflation. Among those who expressed negative views of the tariffs, the Expectations Index was 30.5 points below those who made no mention of tariffs, and in addition, the expected inflation rate was six-tenths of a percentage point higher. While consumers may not understand the intricacies of trade theory, they have substantial experience making decisions about the timing of discretionary purchases based on prospective trends in prices. 


University of Michigan | Joana Taborda | joana.taborda@tradingeconomics.com
7/13/2018 2:13:20 PM


Recent Releases

US Consumer Sentiment Revised Lower in June
The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment for the US stood at 98.2 in June 2018, compared with a preliminary reading of 99.3 and slightly above May's 98. Both consumer expectations and current economic conditions came in weaker than initially thought.
Published on 2018-06-29

US Consumer Sentiment at 3-Month High
The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment for the US increased to 99.3 in June of 2018 from 98 in May, preliminary estimates showed. Figures beat market expectations of 98.5, reaching the highest in three months due to consumers' more favorable assessments of their current financial situation and more favorable views of current buying conditions for household durables. In contrast, expectations declined to the lowest level since the start of the year due to less favorable prospects for the overall economy.
Published on 2018-06-15

US Consumer Sentiment Revised Lower in May
The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment for the US was revised down to 98 in May of 2018 from a preliminary reading of 98.8 and below 98.8 in April. It is the lowest reading in four months as consumers anticipated smaller income gains and references to discounted prices for durables, vehicles, and homes fell to decade lows.
Published on 2018-05-25

US Consumer Sentiment Unchanged in May
The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment for the US was steady at 98.8 in May of 2018, the same as in April and slightly above market expectations of 98.5. Preliminary figures pointed to a small uptick in near term inflation, a fall in income expectations, and stabilization of the unemployment rate at decade lows.
Published on 2018-05-11



Calendar GMT Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2018-05-25 02:00 PM Michigan Consumer Sentiment Final 98 98.8 98.8 98.8
2018-06-29 02:00 PM Michigan Consumer Sentiment Final 98.2 98 99.1 99.3
2018-07-13 02:00 PM Michigan Consumer Sentiment Prel 97.1 98.2 98.2 97.7
2018-07-27 02:00 PM Michigan Consumer Sentiment Final 98.2 97.1
2018-08-17 02:00 PM Michigan Consumer Sentiment Prel 96
2018-08-31 02:00 PM Michigan Consumer Sentiment Final


United States Consumer Last Previous Highest Lowest Unit
Consumer Confidence 97.10 98.20 111.40 51.70 Index Points [+]
Retail Sales MoM 0.50 1.30 6.70 -3.90 percent [+]
Retail Sales YoY 6.60 6.50 11.20 -11.50 percent [+]
Retail Sales Ex Autos 0.40 1.40 2.60 -4.00 percent [+]
Consumer Spending 12061.04 12035.23 12061.04 1320.40 USD Billion [+]
Disposable Personal Income 14929.76 14860.81 14929.76 351.90 USD Billion [+]
Personal Spending 0.20 0.50 2.80 -2.00 percent [+]
Personal Income 0.40 0.20 4.60 -5.20 percent [+]
Personal Savings 3.20 2.80 17.00 1.90 percent [+]
Consumer Credit 24.60 10.30 118.10 -113.40 USD Billion [+]
Private Sector Credit 9347.40 9256.98 9463.65 39.04 USD Billion [+]
Bank Lending Rate 4.89 4.75 20.50 2.00 percent [+]
Economic Optimism Index 56.40 53.90 62.90 35.80 [+]
Redbook Index 3.30 5.20 7.60 -5.80 percent [+]
Chain Store Sales 4410.00 4110.00 15875.00 3055.00 USD Million [+]
Gasoline Prices 0.75 0.78 0.99 0.32 USD/Liter [+]
Households Debt To Gdp 78.70 78.50 98.00 23.80 percent of GDP [+]
Consumer Confidence Current Conditions 113.20 112.50 121.10 57.50 [+]
Consumer Confidence Economic Expectations 80.20 83.90 108.60 44.20 [+]
Consumer Confidence Price Trends 2.70 2.60 10.40 0.40 [+]


United States Consumer Sentiment

The Index of Consumer Expectations focuses on three areas: how consumers view prospects for their own financial situation, how they view prospects for the general economy over the near term, and their view of prospects for the economy over the long term. Each monthly survey contains approximately 50 core questions, each of which tracks a different aspect of consumer attitudes and expectations. The samples for the Surveys of Consumers are statistically designed to be representative of all American households, excluding those in Alaska and Hawaii. Each month, a minimum of 500 interviews are conducted by telephone. This page provides the latest reported value for - United States Consumer Sentiment - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United States Consumer Sentiment - actual data, historical chart and calendar of releases - was last updated on July of 2018.

Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
97.10 98.20 111.40 51.70 1952 - 2018 Index Points Monthly
Volume, NSA, 1966=100




consumer confidence by Country
Country Last
Australia 106.10 Jul/18
Brazil 98.30 Jun/18
Canada 54.21 Jul/18
China 122.90 May/18
Euro Area -0.50 Jun/18
France 97.00 Jun/18
Germany 10.70 Jul/18
India 95.10 Mar/18
Indonesia 128.10 Jun/18
Italy 116.20 Jun/18
Japan 43.70 Jun/18
Mexico 88.01 Jun/18
Netherlands 23.00 Jun/18
Russia -8.00 Jun/18
South Korea 106.00 Jun/18
Spain 107.00 Jun/18
Switzerland 2.00 Jun/18
Turkey 70.30 Jun/18
United Kingdom -9.00 Jun/18
United States 97.10 Jul/18


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