Consumer Confidence May 2026: What the Conference Board's 10am Report Means for Stocks, Spending, and Your Job

# Consumer Confidence May 2026: What the Conference Board's 10am Report Means for Stocks, Spending, and Your Job

> **Quick answer:** The Conference Board releases its Consumer Confidence Index for May 2026 at 10am ET today. April's reading was 89.4 — well below the 100-point baseline of a healthy economy. The critical number to watch is the Expectations Index: if it stays below 80, that's been a near-perfect recession predictor going back to 1990. With UMich sentiment already at a historic low of 44.8 and the Iran war pushing gas above $4, today's report could confirm the most important economic signal of the year.

Consumer confidence May 2026 is the economic event of the morning. Released every last Tuesday of the month, the Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index lands at 10am ET with implications for stock futures, Fed policy, and how 130 million American workers read their own job security. With new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh barely a week into the role and gasoline prices dragging on household budgets, today's reading isn't just a data point — it's a verdict on the economy's psychological foundation.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personal financial decisions.

## What the Conference Board Measures — and Why It's Different From UMich

Two consumer confidence surveys dominate economic coverage in the US, and they frequently tell different stories. Understanding the gap is essential to reading today's report correctly.