2009 U.S. Consumer Sentiment Monthly Survey Figures - Complete and Updated List

Reuters / University of Michigan Numbers Reveal Consumers' Economic Outlook

What is "Consumer Sentiment?"

The Reuters / University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment is a monthly survey which measures the level of optimism or pessimism that American consumers have about present and future economic conditions. The survey is considered to be a key economic indicator for the U.S. retail industry because historically sentiment highs and lows have a direct correlation with spending increases and decreases.

Each month, the Consumer Sentiment numbers are reported twice. The first report is based on a preliminary survey conducted with 300 consumers. The second report is the final figure for the month, calculated after surveying 500 consumers.

Below are the final Consumer Sentiment figures for each month in 2009. The number is calculated based on a comparison to a score calculated in December, 1964, which was established as a benchmark of 100.

2009 Index of Consumer Sentiment:

The Index of Consumer Sentiment number indicates how consumers feel about the economy overall taking into consideration both the present and the future.

61.2 - January

56.3 - February

57.3 - March

65.1 - April

68.7 - May

70.8 - June

66.0 - July

65.7 - August

73.5 - September

70.6 - October

2009 Index of Consumer Expectations:

The Index of Consumer Expectations indicates how consumers feel about the economy in the future. This figure takes into consieration how the survey participants view their own personal financial situation, and how they feel about the economy in genral in both the short-term and long-term future.

The Index of Consumer Expectations number is also calculated based on a comparison to a score calculated in December, 1964 which was established as a benchmark of 100.

57.8 - January

50.5 - February

53.5 - March

63.1 - April

69.4 - May

69.2 - June

63.2 - July

65.0 - August

73.5 - September

68.6 - October