Consumer confidence edged higher in February  as Americans felt a bit more optimistic. But it remains below the peak reached in November 2024. 

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose 2.2 points to 91.2 in preliminary results for February, from an upwardly revised 89.0 in January. (The cutoff for preliminary results was Feb. 17).

“Confidence ticked up in February after falling in January, as consumers’ pessimistic expectations for the future eased somewhat,” said Dana M Peterson, chief economist, The Conference Board. “Four of five components of the Index firmed. Nonetheless, the measure remained well below the four-year peak achieved in November 2024 (112.8).”

Consumer confidence inches up in February but worries over high costs persist | Chain Store Age