Overview

• The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index fell 1.3 points to 97.4 in August from a revised 98.7 in July.
• The Present Situation Index eased to 131.2 while the Expectations Index dropped to 74.8, below the Board’s 80 mark that typically precedes recessions.
• Consumers’ views of job availability declined for an eighth straight month as July BLS data showed 73,000 jobs added with 258,000 prior-month revisions and unemployment up to 4.2%.
• Twelve‑month inflation expectations rose to 6.2% as survey write‑ins cited tariffs more often and linked them to higher prices.
• Spending plans were mixed, with more intent to buy cars, fewer plans for discretionary purchases and vacations, home‑buying intentions steady, and confidence weakening for under‑35s but improving for those over 55.