SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard SaysSurveysOct 29, 2025
October Brings Little Change to Consumer Confidence
Consumers are feeling more optimistic about their present situation while the short-term future remains a little scary.
Consumer confidence essentially held steady this month, according to The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index. It stood at 94.6, only a one-point drop from September’s upwardly revised 95.6. The baseline for the index, which was established in 1985, is 100.
New York—Consumer confidence slipped in October, as consumers’ slightly more optimistic feelings about the present were canceled out by the fact that they feel a bit spooked about the future.
The Consumer Confidence Index, released by The Conference Board at the end of each month, stands at 94.6, down just 1 point from an upwardly revised 95.6 in September.
The two main measures that feed into the consumer confidence gauge—the Present Situation Index and the Expectations Index—moved in different directions this month.
The Present Situation Index, which measures how consumers feel about current business and labor market conditions, improved, increasing 1.8 points to 129.3.
More survey-takers said business conditions were “good” this month (20 percent) instead of “bad” (15 percent), and more described jobs as “plentiful” (28 percent) rather than “hard to get” (18 percent).
However, the Expectations Index, which asks consumers about their six-month outlook on income, business, and the labor market, was down nearly 3 points to 71.5.
About 23 percent of survey-takers said they expect business conditions to worsen, greater than the 19 percent who expect it to improve in the short term.
Their short-term outlook on the labor market also is more pessimistic, with 28 percent expecting fewer jobs to be available and 16 percent expecting there to be more jobs.
Leading the survey’s write-in mentions this month were prices and inflation, which continue to be the main issues affecting consumers’ views of the economy, said Stephanie Guichard, a senior economist with The Conference Board.
She added that the number of write-in responses that reference tariffs continued to decline in October while mentions about the U.S. government shutdown, which started Oct. 1, began to creep in.
“The write-in comments remained mostly negative overall, but less so than in previous months,” Guichard said. “References to U.S. politics were up notably, with the ongoing government shutdown mentioned multiple times as a key concern.”
Related stories will be right here …
The Consumer Confidence Index, released by The Conference Board at the end of each month, stands at 94.6, down just 1 point from an upwardly revised 95.6 in September.
The two main measures that feed into the consumer confidence gauge—the Present Situation Index and the Expectations Index—moved in different directions this month.
The Present Situation Index, which measures how consumers feel about current business and labor market conditions, improved, increasing 1.8 points to 129.3.
More survey-takers said business conditions were “good” this month (20 percent) instead of “bad” (15 percent), and more described jobs as “plentiful” (28 percent) rather than “hard to get” (18 percent).
However, the Expectations Index, which asks consumers about their six-month outlook on income, business, and the labor market, was down nearly 3 points to 71.5.
About 23 percent of survey-takers said they expect business conditions to worsen, greater than the 19 percent who expect it to improve in the short term.
Their short-term outlook on the labor market also is more pessimistic, with 28 percent expecting fewer jobs to be available and 16 percent expecting there to be more jobs.
Leading the survey’s write-in mentions this month were prices and inflation, which continue to be the main issues affecting consumers’ views of the economy, said Stephanie Guichard, a senior economist with The Conference Board.
She added that the number of write-in responses that reference tariffs continued to decline in October while mentions about the U.S. government shutdown, which started Oct. 1, began to creep in.
“The write-in comments remained mostly negative overall, but less so than in previous months,” Guichard said. “References to U.S. politics were up notably, with the ongoing government shutdown mentioned multiple times as a key concern.”
The Conference Board’s survey also breaks down data by age, income, and political affiliation and asks consumers about their plans for spending in certain categories.
Confidence declined among consumers under 35 years old and, to a lesser extent, those over 55, while consumers between ages 35 and 54 felt more confident about the economy in October.
The highest-earning consumers (those earning more than $200,000 a year) enjoyed the largest surge in confidence—unsurprising since they are the least likely to be concerned about inflation—while confidence declined among consumers earning less than $75,000.
Consumer confidence also was down among Democrats and Republicans (albeit slightly for the latter), while it improved among Independents.
On a category-by-category basis, The Conference Board noted that plans to buy big-ticket items, such as appliances and electronics, have started picking up after weakening earlier in the year.
After pulling back in September, consumers said that they plan to spend more on services—mainly pet care, streaming and internet, and motor vehicle servicing.
More consumers also said they have plans to travel, a sector that may be poised for a recovery, The Conference Board said.
Technology company Toluna conducts the Consumer Confidence Survey for The Conference Board every month. It is done online, drawing from a panel of more than 36 million U.S. consumers.
The cutoff date for October’s results was Oct. 19.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Surveys
The Latest
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
Weekly QuizFeb 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2026
TJS Announces Roundtable, Launches New AppRegistration is now open for The Jewelry Symposium, set to take place in Detroit from May 16-19.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
At Meeting in South Africa, Support for Natural Diamonds Picks Up Steam Namibia has formally signed the Luanda Accord, while two key industry organizations pledged to join the Natural Diamond Council.
TrendsFeb 10, 2026
Bad Bunny Wears Football-Shaped ‘Desert Diamond’ for Halftime PerformanceLady Gaga, Cardi B, and Karol G also went with diamond jewelry for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show honoring Puerto Rico.
FinancialsFeb 10, 2026
Kering Plans Transformation as 2025 Sales Sink 13%As star brand Gucci continues to struggle, the luxury titan plans to announce a new roadmap to return to growth.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
AGTA To Debut ‘Stuller Color of the Year’ Spectrum Awards CategoryThe new category asks entrants for “exceptional” interpretations of the supplier’s 2026 color of the year, which is “Signature Red.”
Policies & IssuesFeb 09, 2026
U.S., India Trade Deal One Step Closer to Being FinalizedThe White House issued an official statement on the deal, which will eliminate tariffs on loose natural diamonds and gemstones from India.
Events & AwardsFeb 09, 2026
JA Now Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsEntries for the jewelry design competition will be accepted through March 20.
IndependentsFeb 09, 2026
James Free Jewelers Unveils Revamped FlagshipThe Ohio jeweler’s new layout features a curated collection of brand boutiques to promote storytelling and host in-store events.
TrendsFeb 09, 2026
These 14 Jewels Will Melt Your Heart This Valentine’s DayFrom heart motifs to pink pearls, Valentine’s Day is filled with jewelry imbued with love.
CrimeFeb 06, 2026
Florida Man Sentenced After Selling Fake Native American Jewelry for a Decade Prosecutors say the man attended arts and craft fairs claiming he was a third-generation jeweler who was a member of the Pueblo tribe.
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive ChangesNew CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet RingsOur Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.
MajorsFeb 05, 2026
Pandora to Begin Selling Platinum-Plated JewelryThe introduction of platinum plating will reduce its reliance on silver amid volatile price swings, said Pandora.
