(MENAFN) The U.S. Conference Board reported Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index edged down to 94.6 in October, slipping one point from an upwardly revised 95.6 in September. The reading still exceeded market expectations of 93.4.

The Present Situation Index, which reflects consumers’ views on current business and labor market conditions, rose 1.8 points to 129.3. Meanwhile, the Expectations Index, which gauges short-term forecasts for income, business, and labor market conditions, fell 2.9 points to 71.5.

Notably, the Expectations Index has remained below the 80 level—often seen as a warning signal for a potential recession—since February 2025.

"Consumer confidence moved sideways in October, only declining slightly from its upwardly revised September level," said Stephanie Guichard, senior economist at The Conference Board.

She added, "As all three components of the Expectations Index weakened somewhat, consumers were a bit more pessimistic about future job availability and future business conditions while optimism about future income retreated slightly."

Economists had forecast a reading of 93.4 for October, following 94.2 in September and 97.8 in August, highlighting continued caution among consumers regarding both current conditions and the near-term economic outlook.

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