A leading gauge of U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly dropped in December to a four-month low, amid surging coronavirus cases that have recently propelled tighter restrictions in many states.
The Conference Board index fell to 88.6 in December, from a downwardly revised 92.9 in November. That figure is below the 97 expected in a Bloomberg survey of economists. The latest reading reflects survey responses through Dec. 14, and is well below pre-pandemic levels.
The current condition sub-index fell the most since April. However, the expectations sub-index rose from a four-year low.
The Conference Board latest survey results differ from the University of Michigan’s measure of U.S. consumer sentiment that increased in early December to the second-highest level since March.