The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® rose in May to 102.0 (1985=100) from 97.5 in April (a slight upward revision). The Present Situation Index—based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions—increased to 143.1 (1985=100) in May from 140.6 in April. Meanwhile, the Expectations Index—based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—rose to 74.6 (1985=100) from 68.8 last month. Despite this improvement, for the fourth consecutive month, the Expectations Index was below 80, the threshold which usually signals a recession ahead. ... (full story)