Consumer confidence · United States
United States Michigan Consumer Sentiment Prel
The United States Michigan Consumer Sentiment Prel measures how households in the United States feel about their finances, the economy and their plans for big purchases.
- Importance
- Medium
- Released
- Monthly
- Next release
- Currency
- USD · US dollar
- Central bank
- The Federal Reserve
Latest figures
The latest release for OCT, published on 9 October 2026, came in at 46.3, below the consensus of 47.6, down from 48.1 the time before.
A weaker figure than expected points to slowing activity: the US dollar tends to soften and markets price in lower rates.
Over the last 12 releases it ranged from 46.3 to 57.3, averaging 51.2; it has been falling for three releases in a row.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Oct 2026 | OCT | 46.3 | 47.6 | 48.1 |
| 11 Sep 2026 | SEP | 47.8 | 51 | 51.7 |
| 14 Aug 2026 | AUG | 51.0 | 54.5 | 55.2 |
| 17 Jul 2026 | JUL | 54.4 | 51 | 49.5 |
| 12 Jun 2026 | JUN | 48.9 | 46 | 44.8 |
| 8 May 2026 | MAY | 48.2 | 49.5 | 49.8 |
| 10 Apr 2026 | APR | 47.6 | 52 | 53.3 |
| 13 Mar 2026 | MAR | 55.5 | 55 | 56.6 |
| 6 Feb 2026 | FEB | 57.3 | 55 | 56.4 |
| 9 Jan 2026 | JAN | 54.0 | 53.5 | 52.9 |
| 5 Dec 2025 | DEC | 53.3 | 52 | 51.0 |
| 7 Nov 2025 | NOV | 50.3 | 53.2 | 53.6 |
Why it matters
Household spending is the largest part of most economies. Confidence surveys come out early in the month and help forecast spending; they also capture inflation worries and political shocks quickly.
How it is calculated
A representative sample of households answers questions on current and expected conditions; answers are combined into a balance (positive minus negative) or an index relative to a base year.
What changes mean
- Confidence and actual spending often diverge in the short run; trends matter more than one month.
- Sharp drops after shocks (energy prices, elections) tend to recover if jobs hold up.
Higher than expected: A stronger figure than expected points to a healthier economy: it usually supports the US dollar and local stocks, and can push bond yields up.
Lower than expected: A weaker figure than expected points to slowing activity: the US dollar tends to soften and markets price in lower rates.
A short history
George Katona started the University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers in 1946; the European Commission and many national institutes run similar surveys today.
Questions
What is the United States Michigan Consumer Sentiment Prel?
The United States Michigan Consumer Sentiment Prel measures how households in the United States feel about their finances, the economy and their plans for big purchases.
What was the latest United States Michigan Consumer Sentiment Prel?
46.3 for OCT, published on 9 October 2026 (consensus 47.6, previous 48.1).
When is the next United States Michigan Consumer Sentiment Prel?
On Friday 6 November 2026 at 15:00 UTC.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.