In the February reading, six-month ahead consumer expectations for business conditions, jobs, and income improved after a short-lived decline in sentiment.

The temporary drop coincided with the debate over the fiscal cliff. The drop was not as significant or as long lived as the decline in sentiment that occurred during the debt ceiling debate of 2011.

The present situation component of the Conference Board survey also improved, gaining 7.1 points over the month.

Six-month Ahead Consumer Expectations, SA, net percent of participants expecting

Additional detail:

  • The net percent anticipating better business conditions six months from now improved from a net -4.8 percent to 2.4 percent.
  • The net percent anticipating more jobs six months from now improved from a net -12.3 percent to -4.8 percent.
  • The net percent expecting higher income six months from now improved from a net -9.8 percent to -3.9 percent.