The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index edged down -1.0 pt to 94.6 in October 2025 (from 95.6 in September), reflecting stronger views of current conditions offset by weaker expectations for the months ahead.

• Present Situation Index rose +1.8 pts to 129.3, supported by improved assessments of business conditions and job availability.

• Expectations Index declined -2.9 pts to 71.5, remaining below the recession-warning threshold of 80 for the ninth consecutive month.

• Business conditions (current): 20.2% said conditions were “good” (Sep: 19.9%), while 14.7% said they were “bad” (Sep: 15.3%).

• Labor market (current): 27.8% said jobs were “plentiful” (Sep: 26.9%) and 18.4% said jobs were “hard to get” (Sep: 18.2%).

• Future business conditions: 19.0% expected improvement (Sep: 19.3%) and 22.6% expected worsening (unchanged).

• Future jobs outlook: 15.8% expected more jobs (Sep: 16.6%), while 27.8% expected fewer (Sep: 25.7%).

• Income expectations softened, with 17.9% anticipating higher incomes (Sep: 18.2%) and 12.5% expecting declines (Sep: 11.7%).

• Inflation expectations edged up to 5.9% (Sep: 5.8%), while interest rate expectations also rose, with 52.8% expecting increases (Sep: 51.1%).

• Holiday spending intentions fell, with consumers planning to spend -3.9% less on gifts and -12% less on non-gifts YoY.

• Buying plans were mixed: used car and travel plans rose, homebuying plans weakened, and big-ticket goods intentions stabilized.