Last updated: 2026-02-24 16:30:40 ET
Pulse AI Brief
Updated Feb 24, 2026 4:00 PM ET
Consumer confidence in the U.S. improved in February, driven by positive perceptions of the labor market. The Conference Board's index rose to 91.2, reflecting a modest recovery from January's decline.
Improved consumer confidence could bolster spending, benefiting sectors like retail and consumer goods. Stocks such as Walmart (WMT) and Target (TGT) might see positive momentum.
The uptick in confidence suggests resilience in the U.S. economy despite global uncertainties, potentially influencing Federal Reserve policy decisions on interest rates.
Consumer spending has been the most important driver of economic growth over the past year.
The American consumer’s confidence in the U.S. economy improved slightly in February after cratering a month earlier
Research group The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index rose to 91.2 from an upwardly revised 89 in January. Economists polled by The W...
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Businesses say questions remain after US President Donald Trump announced he will impose global tariffs of 15%.
The tariffs are just taxes on American businesses and consumers, while providing no benefit to the economy, critics of Trump's policies say.
Some companies could decide to temper price increases, but the effect would take time to materialize.
