US consumer confidence improved modestly in February, with the The Conference Board index rising from 89.0 to 91.2, beating expectations of 88.2. The rebound follows January’s decline and suggests some stabilization in household sentiment, though overall levels remain well below the November 2024 peak of 112.8.
The details were mixed. The Present Situation Index slipped -1.8 points to 120.0, indicating slightly softer assessments of current conditions. However, the Expectations Index jumped 4.8 points to 72.0, pointing to easing pessimism about the economic outlook over the next six months.
Chief Economist Dana M. Peterson said four of five components improved, but cautioned that consumer commentary continues to skew negative. Concerns about prices and inflation remain dominant, with references to trade and politics increasing. While labor market mentions eased somewhat, broader unease suggests confidence is stabilizing rather than turning decisively positive.
