In October, all three of IHP’s Consumer Confidence indices increased, reaching their highest levels since SLOTS began tracking in 2022. Compared to the previous month, the Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS)–the broadest measure of public views on personal economic status and the national economy–rose by 8 points to 40. The Index of Consumer Expectations (ICE), which tracks future perceptions, increased by 9 points to 45, and the Index of Current Conditions (ICC), a measure of perceptions of current conditions, increased by 5 points to 33. 

The increases in ICS and ICE were driven by improved perceptions of both personal financial and country’s financial situation in the short- and long-term. However, Public views on current buying conditions remained relatively unchanged. 

IHP consumer confidence indices range from zero to a potential maximum of 100, with levels below 50 indicating net pessimism. These indices use similar methodologies commonly used in the United States and Europe, with data collected through telephone interviews. These estimates are based on 21,234 interviews conducted between Oct. 21, 2021–Nov. 7, 2024, including 761 interviews conducted in October 2024. Sample sizes vary between indices based on response rates, with responses weighted to match the national population.