Economic Release Snapshot: Consumer Confidence Slides in September

Each week, we break down the latest U.S. economic reports, including what the results mean for the overall health of the economy. Here, you will find how economists’ forecasts compare with actual results, key takeaways to consider, as well as a list of what’s on tap for the week ahead.

Reports for the Week of September 23

Conference Board Consumer Confidence, September (Tuesday)

• Expected/prior month consumer confidence: 104.0/105.6
• Actual consumer confidence: 98.7

Consumer confidence fell more than expected in September due to worsening consumer views on current economic conditions. Concerns surrounding the health of the labor market caused the souring confidence during the month.

Durable goods orders, August, preliminary (Wednesday)

• Expected/prior durable goods orders monthly change: ‒2.6%/+9.9%
• Actual durable goods orders change: +0.0%
• Expected/prior core durable goods orders monthly change: +0.1%/‒0.1%
• Actual core durable goods orders change: +0.5%

Headline durable goods orders were unchanged in August, defying economist forecasts for a drop. Core orders growth also impressed, coming in at a healthy 0.5 percent during the month against calls for a more modest 0.1 percent increase.

Personal spending and personal income, August (Friday)

• Expected/prior personal income monthly change: +0.4%/+0.3%
• Actual personal income change: +0.2%
• Expected/prior personal spending monthly change: +0.3%/+0.5%
• Actual personal spending change: +0.2%

Personal income and spending growth came in below economist estimates in August. Despite the miss against expectations, this represented 17 consecutive months of spending growth.

Upcoming Reports for the Week of September 30

ISM Manufacturing, September (Tuesday)
Manufacturer confidence is set to improve modestly yet remain in contractionary territory in September.

ISM Services, September (Thursday)
Service sector confidence is expected to remain unchanged in September after improving more than expected in August.

Employment report, September (Friday)
Hiring is set to slow in September as economists expect to see 130,000 jobs added during the month. The unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged at 4.2 percent.