February Sees First Drop in Consumer Confidence Since November, Signaling Economic Unease

In February, consumer confidence in the U.S. experienced its first decline since November, marking a notable shift in public sentiment regarding the economy. The Conference Board reported a decrease in the Consumer Confidence Index to 106.7, down from January’s revised figure of 110.9. This decline came as a surprise to many, particularly following January’s preliminary high of 114, which was the highest in two years. Expectations had been set even higher, with economists anticipating a February reading of 115. Additionally, the Expectations Index, which forecasts consumers’ short-term outlook on income, business, and labor market conditions, also dipped to 79.8 from January’s 81.5. The Conference Board’s chief economist, Dana Peterson, noted an index value below 80 often precedes a recession within the next year, adding to concerns about the U.S. economy’s trajectory amid ongoing uncertainty.