The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rose in May to 102.0 from 97.5 in April, a slight upward revision. The Present Situation Index — based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor-market conditions — increased to 143.1 in May from 140.6 in April.
Meanwhile, the Expectations Index — based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor-market conditions — rose to 74.6 from 68.8 last month. Despite this improvement, for the fourth consecutive month, the Expectations Index was below 80, the threshold which usually signals a recession ahead.
“Confidence improved in May after three consecutive months of decline,” said Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board. “Consumers’ assessment of current business
