Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Consumer confidence picked up in the second half of August as confirmed coronavirus cases declined from record high levels.
By the numbers: Overall consumer confidence jumped 3.4 points in the past two weeks to 50.0 in the latest HPS-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index, its highest reading since mid-March.
- Confidence in the overall U.S. economy jumped 6.6 points to 52.8.
- Confidence in finding a new job rose 4.8 points to 40.4, while confidence in making a major purchase rose 3.3 points to 46.4.
A similar survey that tracks daily changes from data provider Morning Consult also found consumer confidence had risen to its highest since the pandemic began roiling the United States.
Why it matters: Closely watched reports from the University of Michigan and the Conference Board that survey consumers through the middle of the month have shown confidence stagnating at yearslong lows in recent months.
- The new data suggest that the end of August marked a defined uptick.
Of note: While overall confidence has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, the HPS-CivicScience data show confidence in finding a job and in personal finances remain significantly lower.