Consumer Confidence Rebounds in October
A more positive view of the labor market contributed to the strongest monthly gain since March 2021.

The Conference Board’s monthly consumer confidence index increased to 108.7 in October from an upwardly revised 99.2 in September.
“Consumer confidence recorded the strongest monthly gain since March 2021, but still did not break free of the narrow range that has prevailed over the past two years,” said Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board, noting that all five components of the index improved.
“Consumers’ assessments of current business conditions turned positive. Views on the current availability of jobs rebounded after several months of weakness, potentially reflecting better labor market data. Compared to last month, consumers were substantially more optimistic about future business conditions and remained positive about future income. Also, for the first time since July 2023, they showed some cautious optimism about future job availability.”
As for the write-in responses, prices and inflation continued to be top concerns, though more respondents mentioned slower inflation and lower grocery prices.
Write-in responses about politics, including the November elections, remained unchanged and below both 2020 and 2016 levels.
In October 2016, “election” was the most-mentioned key word in the responses, said the Conference Board, and was in second place in October 2020 behind “COVID.”
This year, “election” was No. 5, falling behind references to prices, inflation, food, and groceries.
By age and income, the confidence boost was seen across all age groups and most income groups.
Consumers aged 35 to 54 saw the sharpest rise in confidence.
Those under 35 and those earning more than $100,000 remained the most confident.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ current view of business and labor market conditions, fell to 138 in October from a downwardly revised 123.8 in September.
Consumers’ assessments of current business conditions and their view of the labor market were more positive in October.
The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ outlook on income, business, and labor market conditions in the near future, rose to 89.1 from an upwardly revised 82.8 in September.
It remained above 80, said the Conference Board, noting a reading below 80 normally signals a recession in the near future.
Consumers were more optimistic about business conditions in October. Their outlook on the labor market was more optimistic than pessimistic for the first time since July 2023.
Their outlooks on their income prospects and their family’s current financial situation, a measure not included when calculating the Present Situation and Expectations Index, were unchanged.
Their outlook on their family’s future financial situation was more positive.
The “Consumers’ Perceived Likelihood of a U.S. Recession over the Next 12 Months” metric dropped to a new low in October.
“The proportion of consumers anticipating a recession over the next 12 months dropped to its lowest level since the question was first asked in July 2022, as did the percentage of consumers believing the economy was already in recession,” said Peterson.
Consumer plans to buy big-ticket appliances were mixed and plans to buy electronics were down slightly.
On a six-month moving average basis, purchasing plans for homes and new cars continued to increase.
When consumers were asked about plans to buy “more durable” goods or services over the next six months, consumers again showed a slightly greater preference for purchasing goods.
“Regarding services, consumers’ priorities were little changed, but they were keen to spend a bit more on some discretionary items going forward,” said the Conference Board.
There were more plans to dine out and stay in hotels in October. Plans to enjoy out-of-the-home entertainment, like museums and amusement parks, improved, though remained at the bottom of the list.
Consumers were more optimistic about the stock market, with 51 percent of respondents expecting to see stock prices increase over the year ahead, the highest reading since the question was first asked in 1987.
The share of consumers expecting higher interest rates over the next 12 months increased to 48 percent following four consecutive months of decline. The share expecting lower rates decreased to 30 percent.
“Write-in responses showed that consumers welcomed the recent reduction in interest rates but felt that levels were still too high,” said the Conference Board.
Though overall inflation is slowing and gas prices are declining, the organization said, the average 12-month inflation expectations rose to 5.3 percent in October from 5.2 percent last month, which it said reflects upward pressure on the prices of food and services.
The Consumer Confidence survey results for November are set to be released on Nov. 26.
The Latest

Moti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.

Lichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.

The miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.


Associate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.

Sponsored by Instappraise

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.

The brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.

Cathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.

The company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.

Connecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.

Its commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.

National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.

Designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”

Expanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.

Located in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.

The episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.

The Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.

The turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.

“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.

The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.

Set with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.

“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.

Though currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.

Located in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.