Consumer Confidence Index
This morning’s release of January's Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) revealed consumers are far less optimistic about their own financial situations than many had thought. January’s reading of 84.5 fell well short of forecasts and December’s upwardly revised 94.2. It was also the lowest reading since 2014, even lower than during the COVID crisis. Since lower levels of consumer confidence usually translate into weaker consumer spending that makes up over two-thirds of the U.S. economy, today’s report is good news for bonds and mortgage rates. The report erased early morning weakness in bonds.