consumer sentiment index

What exactly? A consumer confidence index (1966 = 100).

Source: The University of Michigan

Frequency: Monthly

Released when? First around the 15th of the month (a preliminary reading) and then around the last business day of the month (a final reading) at 10 a.m. Eastern. Data for current month.

Market importance: Little. Sometimes moves markets. Used in conjunction with other confidence measures to gauge consumer moods.

Other notes: (a) The Michigan index is released only to subscribers and gets publicized through leaks. (b) The consumer expectations portion of the Michigan survey is a component of the leading economic indicators index.