The RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index fell sharply to 42.8 in April 2026, the lowest level since June 2024, down from 47.5 in March and below expectations of 48.1, as concerns over the Middle East war and rising gasoline prices weighed on sentiment. The index has now remained below the neutral 50 mark for eight straight months, signaling persistent pessimism. The Six Month Economic Outlook dropped 10.5% to 38.5, reflecting growing doubts about the economy’s near-term prospects. The Personal Financial Outlook also weakened, slipping 7.6% to 50.2. Meanwhile, confidence in Federal Economic Policies deteriorated significantly, with the gauge falling to 39.8 from 45.1, highlighting rising skepticism over the government’s ability to manage economic challenges amid heightened uncertainty. source: Technometrica Market Intelligence/RealClearMarkets

Economic Optimism Index in the United States decreased to 42.80 points in April from 47.50 points in March of 2026. Economic Optimism Index in the United States averaged 49.10 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 April of 2026.

Economic Optimism Index in the United States decreased to 42.80 points in April from 47.50 points in March of 2026. Economic Optimism Index in the United States is expected to be 52.00 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
2026-03-03 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 42.8 47.5 48.1 47
2026-05-05 02:10 PM
RCM/TIPP Economic Optimism Index
May 42.8


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bank Lending Rate 6.75 6.75 percent Mar 2026
Chain Store Sales 674.64 816.62 USD Million Jan 2026
Michigan Consumer Sentiment 47.60 53.30 points Apr 2026
Consumer Credit Change 9.48 7.67 USD Billion Feb 2026
Consumer Spending 16665.20 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 23429.80 23448.10 USD Billion Feb 2026
RCM/TIPP Economic Optimism Index 42.80 47.50 points Apr 2026
Gasoline Prices 0.96 0.77 USD/Liter Mar 2026
Households Debt to GDP 68.00 68.10 percent of GDP Sep 2025
Michigan Consumer Expectations 46.10 51.70 points Apr 2026
Michigan Current Conditions 50.10 55.80 points Apr 2026
Personal Income MoM -0.10 0.40 percent Feb 2026
Personal Savings 4.00 4.50 percent Feb 2026
Personal Spending MoM 0.50 0.30 percent Feb 2026
Private Sector Credit 13531.33 13410.19 USD Billion Feb 2026
Redbook YoY 7.60 6.90 percent Apr 2026
Retail Sales Ex Autos MoM 0.50 0.00 percent Feb 2026
Retail Sales Ex Gas/Autos MoM 0.40 0.20 percent Feb 2026
Retail Sales MoM 0.60 -0.10 percent Feb 2026
Retail Sales YoY 3.70 3.19 percent Feb 2026
Used Car Prices MoM 1.40 0.80 percent Mar 2026
Used Car Prices YoY 6.20 4.00 percent Mar 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
42.80 47.50 62.90 35.80 2001 - 2026 points Monthly

News Stream
US Economic Sentiment Falls to Near 2-Year Low
The RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index fell sharply to 42.8 in April 2026, the lowest level since June 2024, down from 47.5 in March and below expectations of 48.1, as concerns over the Middle East war and rising gasoline prices weighed on sentiment. The index has now remained below the neutral 50 mark for eight straight months, signaling persistent pessimism. The Six Month Economic Outlook dropped 10.5% to 38.5, reflecting growing doubts about the economy’s near-term prospects. The Personal Financial Outlook also weakened, slipping 7.6% to 50.2. Meanwhile, confidence in Federal Economic Policies deteriorated significantly, with the gauge falling to 39.8 from 45.1, highlighting rising skepticism over the government’s ability to manage economic challenges amid heightened uncertainty.
2026-04-07
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