In this Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, file photo, passers-by examine a storefront window in Boston's fashionable Newbury Street shopping district. U.S. consumer confidence dipped slightly in October as a new wave of coronavirus cases began across the country. The Conference Board reported Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, that its consumer confidence index fell to a reading of 100.9, from 101.8 in September. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
By Martin Crutsinger
U.S. consumer confidence fell to a reading of 96.1 in November as rising coronavirus cases pushed American optimism down to the lowest level since August.
The November reading released Tuesday by the Conference Board said represents a drop from a revised 101.4 in October. The decline reflected a big drop in consumer expectations for income, business, and labor market conditions.
The consumer confidence index is set on a scale with 100 equaling the confidence level in 1985.
In the leadup to the pandemic with the country enjoying unemployment at a half-century low of 3.9%, the confidence index had risen above 130. It stood at 132.6 in February but plunged to 85.7 in April as millions of Americans lost their jobs after the country went into lockdown to try to halt the spread of the pandemic.
The index has bounced around since its big April decline but remains well below the levels reached before the pandemic hit.
Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate, breaks down the current housing market and why he’s expecting affordability will get better as the year goes on.
Georgie Dickins, founder of Women in Leadership Global and author of ‘Leading with Impact,’ shares thoughts on women in business and how to cultivate a supportive community.
Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY and Jordan Shapiro, senior managing director at Bachrach Group, break down February’s jobs report and what it means for workers.
