# Conference Board: Consumer Confidence Jumps 7.5 Points to 91.7 in October, Far Above the Forecast of 81

Breitbart reports the index rose from 84.2 in September while economists had expected a drop. The Conference Board credits better views of business conditions and easing gasoline prices.

- Section: [Economy](https://rightnewsrightnow.com/economy/)
- Published: 2026-10-27
- By: RightNewsRightNow Staff
- Canonical page: https://rightnewsrightnow.com/articles/conference-board-consumer-confidence-jumps-91-7-october-gasoline-prices-easing-breitbart/

American consumers felt better about the economy in October, and by a wider margin than forecasters expected, Breitbart reports.

The headline number. The Conference Board's consumer confidence index rose 7.5 points to 91.7 in October from 84.2 in September. Economists had expected it to fall to 81.

The two halves. The present situation index, which measures how consumers see current conditions, rose 8.6 points to 120.4. The expectations index rose 6.9 points to 72.6. That partly reverses three straight monthly declines.

The Conference Board's explanation. Senior economist Fergus McCormick said confidence advanced "driven primarily by improved perceptions of current and expected business conditions." He said the recovery "was in line with retail gasoline prices easing from September to October."

Jobs. The share of consumers saying jobs are plentiful rose to 26.7 percent from 24.3 percent. The share saying jobs are hard to get was unchanged at 21.4 percent. More consumers now call business conditions good than bad.

Note for readers: the index is a survey of consumer attitudes, not a measure of spending or output. Confidence is still well below the 100 mark, and one month does not make a trend. President Trump also pointed to the number at Joint Base Andrews on Tuesday, according to a Fox News video summary.

## Source

Original reporting: [Breitbart](https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2026/10/27/october-surprise-consumer-confidence-unexpectedly-jumps-higher/)