Consumer confidence index jumps to 133.4 in August from 127.9 The numbers: Consumer confidence in the United States soared in August to an 18-year high, reflecting surging growth in the economy and the lowest unemployment rate in almost two decades. The consumer confidence index jumped to 133.4 from a revised 127.9 in July, the Conference Board said Tuesday (https:/ /www.conference-board.org/data/consumerconfidence.cfm). That's the highest level since October 2000 and beats the previous postrecession peak of 130 in February. Read:Another inflation gauge is set to enter the red zone, but few worries at the Fed (http://www.marketwatch.com/ story/another-inflation-gauge-is-set-to-enter-the-red-zone-but-no-worries-at-the-fed-heres-why-2018-08-26)