9 Must-Know Strategies for Leveraging the Consumer Confidence Index in Tactical Asset Allocation
Consumer confidence stands as a pivotal leading indicator, capturing the financial outlook and spending propensity of households. With consumer spending driving roughly 65% of U.S. GDP, shifts in confidence levels offer critical insights into retail sales, business investment, and broader economic health.
Two primary surveys track sentiment: The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) surveys 3,000 households monthly, emphasizing labor market trends and job security. Meanwhile, the University of Michigan's survey focuses on 500 households, zeroing in on personal finance concerns like gasoline prices and durable goods purchases. Divergences between the indices reveal specific consumer pain points.