After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June
The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The Conference Board said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index stood at 93 in June, down 5.4 points from an upwardly revised 98.4 in May. The baseline for the index is 100.
The Conference Board said the decline in consumer confidence was consistent across all age groups, almost all income groups, and all political affiliations, with the largest decline in confidence recorded among Republicans.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions, was down 6.4 points to 129.1.
The Expectations Index, which is based on consumers’ outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions in the next six months, slipped 4.6 points to 69.
The Conference Board noted that the index is now “substantially below” the threshold of 80 that typically signals a recession ahead.
As the write-in responses to June’s survey indicate, tariffs remain a top concern for consumers, as does inflation.
Concerns about geopolitical and social unrest also are starting to worry some people.
The Conference Board’s Senior Economist Stephanie Guichard said, “Consumers’ write-in responses revealed little change since May in the top issues impacting their views of the economy. Tariffs remained on top of consumers’ minds and were frequently associated with concerns about their negative impacts on the economy and prices.
“Inflation and high prices were another important concern cited by consumers in June.”
However, Guichard noted that in June, more consumers mentioned easing inflation, which is a trend The Conference Board has been seeing over the last several months.
She added that references to geopolitics and social unrest were up slightly from previous months but still remain relatively low on consumers’ overall list of concerns.
The Conference Board said consumers’ outlook on stock prices continued to improve in May after hitting a 16-month low in April in the wake of President Donald Trump’s initial tariff announcement.
About 46 percent of consumers surveyed said they expect stock prices to increase over the next 12 months, up from about 38 percent two months ago.
As for interest rates, 57 percent of consumers survey said they expected rates to rise, the highest share since October 2023.
The Conference Board also takes stock of consumers’ spending plans for big-ticket items, services (dining out, entertainment, etc.), and travel.
Overall, when compared with May, more consumers were undecided about plans to buy big-ticket items.
Purchasing plans for cars hit their highest level since December 2024, while purchasing plans for most appliances rose slightly.
However, fewer consumers said they were planning to buy electronics as well as the biggest big-ticket item of them all—a home.
Dining out remained No. 1 in the services categories, and was one of the few categories to see spending intentions rise in June, along with motor vehicle services, museum/historic sites, and fitness.
The Conference Board said consumers’ vacation plans remained unchanged overall in June; more consumers said they plan to travel abroad while intentions to travel within the United States declined.
The Conference Board’s monthly Consumer Confidence Survey is conducted for the board by Toluna, a technology and market research firm with a panel of more than 36 million consumers.
June 18 was the cutoff date for preliminary results.
The Conference Board releases its report on consumer confidence on the last Tuesday of every month. The next release is set for July 29.
The Latest

The grant is in its first year and was created to recognize an exceptional fine jewelry designer whose star is on the rise.

Data built on trust, not tracking, will be key to success going forward, as the era of “borrowed attention” ends, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Heath Yarges brings two decades of experience to the role.

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

Pete’s boundless curiosity extended beyond diamond cut and he was always eager to share his knowledge with others, no matter the topic.


Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier had another successful holiday season, Richemont reported this week.

Our Piece of the Week is Lagos’ “Bee” brooch that was seen on the red carpet for the first time on Sunday.

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

Trevor Jonathan Wright led a crew in a string of armed robberies targeting South Asian-owned jewelry stores on the East Coast.

The program recognizes rising professionals in the jewelry industry.

A new lifestyle section and a watch showcase have been added to this year’s event.

Avocados From Mexico is celebrating those who love to double-dip in game day guacamole with a 14-karat yellow gold tortilla chip necklace.

Petra Diamonds unearthed the 41.82-carat, Type IIb blue diamond at the Cullinan Mine.

The brand is trading its colorful fabric cords for Italian leather in its “Lasso” baby locket bracelets.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America’s popular webinar series is evolving in 2026.

The department store chain owes millions to creditors like David Yurman, Roberto Coin, Kering, and LVMH.

The award-winning actor’s visionary approach and creativity echo the spirit of Boucheron, the brand said.

Edge Retail Academy honored Burnell’s Fine Jewelry in Wichita, Kansas, with its annual award for business excellence.

In a market defined by more selective consumers, Sherry Smith shares why execution will be independent jewelers’ key to growth this year.

The family-owned jeweler’s new space is in a former wholesale produce market.

Ivel Sanchez Rivera, 52, has been arrested and charged in connection with the armed robbery of Tio Jewelers in Cape Coral, Florida.

The supplier’s online program allows customers to search and buy calibrated natural and lab-grown diamond melee, including in fancy shapes.

The new show will take place Jan. 23-25, 2026.

A monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights her favorite jewelry moments from the Golden Globes, and they are (mostly) white hot.

Yantzer is remembered for the profound influence he had on diamond cut grading as well as his contagious smile and quick wit.

The store closures are part of the retailer’s “Bold New Chapter” turnaround plan.

























