Sentiment & Confidence

Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade and Food Services

Monthly measure of consumer spending at retail outlets and food service establishments. Covers about 30% of personal consumption. Released early in the following month, one of the first hard data points for current-quarter GDP. Use for consumer health assessment and GDP nowcasting.

University of Michigan: Consumer Sentiment

University of Michigan monthly survey of consumer attitudes toward finances, business conditions, and buying conditions. Leading indicator of consumer spending. Sharp drops often precede spending slowdowns. Monthly frequency with full derived metrics and history back to 1952.