Consumer confidence rises to 91.2, but expectations index stays below 80 for 13th straight month

The Conference Board released its February 2026 Consumer Confidence Index showing a 2.2-point rise to 91.2, but the Expectations Index remained at 72.0, marking 13 consecutive months below the 80-point threshold that historically signals elevated recession risk within 6-12 months. Economists noted that while current conditions appeared stable, the persistent pessimism about future conditions reflected sustained uncertainty about tariff impacts, the DHS shutdown, and slowing government sector employment.