Consumer Confidence Exceeds Wall Street Expectations

Americans consumers are confident and they have a favorable view of the economy — for now, at least.

MarketWatch reports that the consumer confidence index increased to 101.1 in August, the highest level since September 2015. The mark was up from July’s score (96.7), and it even surpassed expectations. Economists predicted a score of 97.

The present situation index, a measure of current economic conditions, reached 123 in July, the highest score since late 2007.

Optimism is waning though, as the future expectations index, at 86.4 in July, sat well below the postrecession high.

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