The RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index declined to 47.5 in March 2026 from 48.8 in February, missing market expectations of 50.1. The Six-Month Economic Outlook, which measures how consumers perceive the economy's prospects in the next six months, fell 1.8%, from 43.8 in February to 43.0 in March. The Personal Financial Outlook, a measure of how Americans feel about their own finances in the next six months, dropped 4.6% from its previous reading of 56.9 in February to 54.3 this month. Confidence in Federal Economic Policies, a proprietary RCM/TIPP measure of views on the effectiveness of government economic policies, slipped to 45.1 in March from 45.7 in February, a 1.3% drop. source: Technometrica Market Intelligence/RealClearMarkets

Economic Optimism Index in the United States decreased to 47.50 points in March from 48.80 points in February of 2026. Economic Optimism Index in the United States averaged 49.12 points from 2001 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 62.90 points in March of 2002 and a record low of 35.80 points in August of 2011. This page provides the latest reported value for - United States IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United States Economic Optimism Index - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.

Economic Optimism Index in the United States decreased to 47.50 points in March from 48.80 points in February of 2026. Economic Optimism Index in the United States is expected to be 49.30 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United States Economic Optimism Index is projected to trend around 56.00 points in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-03 03:10 PM
RCM/TIPP Economic Optimism Index
Feb 48.8 47.2 47.9 47
2026-03-03 03:10 PM
RCM/TIPP Economic Optimism Index
Mar 47.5 48.8 50.1 49.3
2026-04-07 02:10 PM
RCM/TIPP Economic Optimism Index
Apr 47.5


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bank Lending Rate 6.75 6.75 percent Jan 2026
Chain Store Sales 816.51 736.35 USD Million Dec 2025
Michigan Consumer Sentiment 56.60 56.40 points Feb 2026
Consumer Credit Change 24.05 4.70 USD Billion Dec 2025
Consumer Spending 16682.50 16585.90 USD Billion Dec 2025
Credit Card Accounts 648.10 642.31 Million Dec 2025
Debt Balance Auto Loans 1.67 1.66 Trillion USD Dec 2025
Debt Balance Credit Cards 1.28 1.23 Trillion USD Dec 2025
Debt Balance Mortgages 13.17 13.07 Trillion USD Dec 2025
Debt Balance Student Loans 1.66 1.65 Trillion USD Dec 2025
Total Household Debt 18.80 18.59 USD Trillion Dec 2025
Disposable Personal Income 23188.60 23112.90 USD Billion Dec 2025
RCM/TIPP Economic Optimism Index 47.50 48.80 points Mar 2026
Gasoline Prices 0.77 0.74 USD/Liter Feb 2026
Households Debt to GDP 68.00 68.20 percent of GDP Jun 2025
Michigan Consumer Expectations 56.60 57.00 points Feb 2026
Michigan Current Conditions 56.60 55.40 points Feb 2026
Personal Income MoM 0.30 0.40 percent Dec 2025
Personal Savings 3.60 3.70 percent Dec 2025
Personal Spending MoM 0.40 0.40 percent Dec 2025
Private Sector Credit 13411.20 13304.90 USD Billion Jan 2026
Redbook YoY 7.00 6.70 percent Feb 2026
Retail Sales Ex Autos MoM 0.00 0.40 percent Dec 2025
Retail Sales Ex Gas/Autos MoM 0.00 0.30 percent Dec 2025
Retail Sales MoM 0.00 0.60 percent Dec 2025
Retail Sales YoY 2.40 3.30 percent Dec 2025
Used Car Prices MoM 2.40 0.10 percent Jan 2026
Used Car Prices YoY 2.40 0.40 percent Jan 2026


United States Economic Optimism Index
RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index measures Americans' opinions and outlooks on the economy. The index is based on a nationwide survey of 1300 adults and evaluates six-month economic outlook, personal financial outlook, confidence in federal economic policies. Reading above 50 indicates optimism, and below 50 indicates pessimism.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
47.50 48.80 62.90 35.80 2001 - 2026 points Monthly

News Stream
US Economic Sentiment Slips In March
The RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index declined to 47.5 in March 2026 from 48.8 in February, missing market expectations of 50.1. The Six-Month Economic Outlook, which measures how consumers perceive the economy's prospects in the next six months, fell 1.8%, from 43.8 in February to 43.0 in March. The Personal Financial Outlook, a measure of how Americans feel about their own finances in the next six months, dropped 4.6% from its previous reading of 56.9 in February to 54.3 this month. Confidence in Federal Economic Policies, a proprietary RCM/TIPP measure of views on the effectiveness of government economic policies, slipped to 45.1 in March from 45.7 in February, a 1.3% drop.
2026-03-03
US Economic Sentiment Improves to 6-Month High
The RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index for the US rose to 48.8 in February 2026, the highest since August and above market expectations of 47.9. The Six-Month Economic Outlook, which measures how consumers perceive the economy's prospects in the next six months, gained 1.2%, from 43.3 in January to 43.8 in February. The Personal Financial Outlook, a measure of how Americans feel about their own finances in the next six months, rose 3.6% from its previous reading of 54.9 in January to 56.9 this month. Confidence in Federal Economic Policies, a proprietary RCM/TIPP measure of views on the effectiveness of government economic policies, improved to 45.7 in February from 43.5 in January, a 5.1% gain.
2026-02-03
US Economic Optimism Index Falls in January
The RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index for the US fell to 47.2 in January 2026 from 47.9 in December, missing market expectations of 48.2. The Six-Month Economic Outlook, which measures how consumers perceive the economy's prospects in the next six months, declined 2.5%, from 44.4 in December to 43.3 in January. Confidence in Federal Economic Policies, a proprietary RCM/TIPP measure of views on the effectiveness of government economic policies, slipped to 43.5 in January from 45.4 in December, a 4.2% loss. The Personal Financial Outlook, a measure of how Americans feel about their own finances in the next six months, rose 1.7% from its previous reading of 54.0 in December to 54.9 this month.
2026-01-13