Univ. of Michigan survey: consumer confidence at 13-month high

Stimulus checks, rising coronavirus vaccinations and a rapidly growing economy lifted the spirits of Americans in early April and pushed a closely followed survey of consumer attitudes to a 13-month high. 

The consumer sentiment index rose to 86.5 in April from 84.9 in the prior month, according to a preliminary survey by the University of Michigan. 

That’s the highest level since the pandemic erupted in the U.S. in March 2020. The index had touched a 16-year high of 101 just a month earlier. 

~ Jeffry Bartash, "Americans are feeling the best they’ve felt since the pandemic began, consumer survey shows," MarketWatch.com, April 16, 2021

Conference Board director: consumer confidence highest since fall of 2000

Consumer Confidence increased in October, following a modest gain in September, and remains at levels last seen in the fall of 2000 (September 2000, 142.5).

~ Lynn Franco, Conference Board Senior Director of Economic Indicators, October 30, 2018