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5d ago

U.S. Consumer Confidence Falls Again to 89.1 as Present Conditions Slump

The Conference Board report highlights a sharp deterioration in views of current business and job markets despite resilient recent spending data.

FILE - Shoppers wait in line to enter Macy's flagship store on Nov. 28, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, File)
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Shoppers look at jewellery at a store in New York City, U.S., December 13, 2025. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
Consumer confidence registered at multi-month lows in December, reflecting lingering worries about affordability and tariffs

Overview

  • The Consumer Confidence Index declined 3.8 points to 89.1 in December, marking a fifth straight monthly drop, with survey responses collected through December 16.
  • The Present Situation Index fell 9.5 points to 116.8 as net assessments of business conditions turned negative for the first time since September 2024.
  • The Expectations Index held at 70.7, remaining below the 80 recession-warning threshold for the 11th consecutive month.
  • Confidence weakened across most age and income groups and across political affiliations, with write‑ins led by prices and inflation, tariffs and trade, and politics, and rising mentions of immigration, war, and personal finances.
  • Labor views softened as the share saying jobs are plentiful slipped to 26.7% and “hard to get” rose to 20.8%; November was revised higher after the shutdown ended, the Dec. 10 Fed rate cut fell within the sample window, and strong Q3 GDP underscored a sentiment-activity disconnect.