Quikrete Industry Dashboard: An index dips

Consumer Confidence declines, but stock prices show growth

The latest edition of the Quikrete Industry Dashboard includes updated date from Wall Street, from the Conference Board and from the American Automobile Association. And the charts show numbers either gaining, declining or remaining the same from a month ago.

The closely watched Consumer Confidence Index, released Aug. 31, stood at 113.8, down from a downwardly revised 125.1 in July. The August index was the lowest since February. (95.2)

Here’s what The Conference Board’s Senior Director of Economic Indicators Lynn Franco said about the numbers: “Concerns about the Delta variant—and, to a lesser degree, rising gas and food prices—resulted in a less favorable view of current economic conditions and short-term growth prospects. Spending intentions for homes, autos, and major appliances all cooled somewhat; however, the percentage of consumers intending to take a vacation in the next six months continued to climb. While the resurgence of COVID-19 and inflation concerns have dampened confidence, it is too soon to conclude this decline will result in consumers significantly curtailing their spending in the months ahead.”

Gas prices remained the same compared to a month ago, holding steady at $3.18 per gallon of regular, according to the AAA. 

Meanwhile, seven of the ten ticker symbols on the Stock Roundup are ahead for the month, and all of them are ahead for the year. Leading the charge is BLDR, up 73.3% from its position one year ago. 

Looking ahead, the next big data drop will be the Census Bureau’s release of its Advance Monthly Retail Trade Report for August, scheduled for Sept. 16.