The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rose to 109.7 in June, up from 102.5 in May and the highest reading in 18-months.  The Present Situation Index rose to 155.3 in June from 148.9 in May, based on the perception that business and employment conditions have improved. The Expectations Index rose to 79.3, up from 71.5 in May.  A value of 80 for the Expectations Index is a threshold indicator of the possibility of a future recession. The proportion of the consumers expecting a recession within the next 12-month period has receded.

With regard to the Present Situation Index, 23.7 percent of consumers considered business conditions were ‘good’ compared to 16.3 percent having a contrary review.  Almost half (46.8 percent) of consumers considered that jobs were plentiful with 12.4 percent of respondents considering that jobs were difficult to obtain.  In the short term, 15.5 percent of consumers expect more jobs to be available, almost the same proportion as those that are of the opinion that there will be fewer jobs in the immediate future.