In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Dana Peterson and Allen Li unpack the latest Consumer Confidence Index® and the surprisingly strong Q3 US GDP report.
US consumer confidence edged lower in December, marking the fifth consecutive monthly decline and ending the year on a cautious note. While confidence improved after the federal government shutdown ended, expectations for the next six months remain weak, at levels that are often associated with rising recession risk.
On the upside, Q3 GDP grew at a 4.3% annualized rate, well above expectations. Strong consumer spending, particularly on services and healthcare, drove much of this. Dana and Allen also discuss how data disruptions from the government shutdown may affect future revisions and what the report could mean for Q4 growth and Federal Reserve policy.
For more from The Conference Board:
C-Suite Perspectives is a series hosted by our President & CEO, Steve Odland. This weekly conversation takes an objective, data-driven look at a range of business topics aimed at executives. Listeners will come away with what The Conference Board does best: Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead®.
C-Suite Perspectives provides unique insights for C-Suite executives on timely topics that matter most to businesses as selected by The Conference Board. If you would like to suggest a guest for the podcast series, please email csuite.perspectives@conference-board.org. Note: As a non-profit organization under 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code, The Conference Board cannot promote or offer marketing opportunities to for-profit entities.
C-Suite Perspectives / 31 Aug 2026
Explore what makes an organizational culture strong, healthy, adaptable, and consistent and how leaders can determine where their own culture needs work.
C-Suite Perspectives / 28 Aug 2026
Hear what Warsh revealed about the Fed’s approach to inflation, why the speed of progress toward its 2% target matters, and the labor market.
C-Suite Perspectives / 27 Aug 2026
Explore how FNB has combined strategic growth with disciplined risk management; why decisiveness, and collaboration.
C-Suite Perspectives / 25 Aug 2026
Discover the latest data reveal about jobs, inflation, and recession concerns.
C-Suite Perspectives / 24 Aug 2026
Could prediction markets offer business leaders a new way to forecast economic conditions, manage risk, and improve decision making?
C-Suite Perspectives / 17 Aug 2026
Organizations are racing to prepare their people for AI—but many may already be training them for yesterday’s technology.