After a summer of of wild swings, the Accountants Confidence Index seems to be in a more moderate mode, with modest increases in both the short- and the mid-term.
The ACI, published in partnership with ADP, is a monthly economic indicator that leverages the insights of accountants into the strength and prospects of businesses in the U.S. The 3-Month ACI hit 55.66, up somewhat from the previous month's 53.87, well above the 50 mark that separates expectations of growth from expectations of contraction. The 6-Month ACI, meanwhile, came in at 59.01, up from last month's 56.67.
The index components also showed modest upticks, perhaps marking a retreat from the extreme volatility and uncertainty of the summer months.
The ACI is created from a monthly poll of the Accounting Today Executive Research Council, an online community of more than 1,500 tax and accounting professionals.