Overview
- The Conference Board’s index fell 6.8 points to 88.7, missing forecasts in the low-90s and marking the lowest reading since April.
- The Expectations Index slid to 63.2 and has stayed below the Board’s 80 recession-warning threshold for ten straight months.
- Current conditions weakened as the Present Situation Index dropped to 126.9 and the share saying jobs are “plentiful” eased to 27.6%.
- Consumers lifted their 12‑month inflation outlook to a 4.8% median and cut back on plans for big-ticket purchases and services.
- Confidence fell across most income and political groups, with older adults most downbeat, and California’s measure plunged about 16%; the survey closed Nov. 18 after the shutdown ended Nov. 12.