Consumers' assessment of present-day conditions remains quite positive, primarily due to strong employment growth. The Expectations Index posted another gain in October, suggesting that consumers do not foresee the economy losing steam anytime soon. Rather, they expect the strong pace of growth to carry over into early 2019.

-Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators at the Conference Board, in a statement late last month as the U.S. Consumer Confidence index rose in October to an 18-year high.