The State of the Economy for February 2024

27 FEBRUARY 2024

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® fell in February to 106.7, down from 110.9 in January. Consumers are more pessimistic.

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The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index^® fell in February to 106.7, down from 110.9 in January. Consumers are more pessimistic—putting a halt to the rising optimism of the past few months. Yet business leaders are cautiously optimistic and poised for growth. How do interest rates, inflation, labor markets, supply chains, and the US political environment affect these different viewpoints? In this episode of CEO Perspectives, Dana Peterson, Chief Economist, joins Erin McLaughlin, Senior Economist, both of The Conference Board, to discuss our latest indicators—and what they reveal about market dynamics and potential shifts.

Tune in to find out:

What specific factors are driving renewed consumer pessimism?
How should businesses interpret the signals consumers are sending about their expectations and buying plans?
What are the key upsides and downside risks for the US economic outlook? What about for Europe, China, and emerging economies?
What might bring on a redux of the banking crisis?

For more Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead^®:

Read: Global Forecast Update

Read: Consumer Confidence Survey^®

Read: The Conference Board Economic Forecast for the US Economy

Watch: Economy Watch: The C-Suite Outlook 2024

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Experts in this series

Join experts from The Conference Board as they share Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead^®

Dana M. Peterson

Chief Economist
The Conference Board

Read Bio

Erin McLaughlin

Senior Economist, ESF
The Conference Board

Read Bio

C-Suite Perspectives

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.

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