News

US Consumer Sentiment Revised Slightly Lower
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index was revised down to 56.6 in February 2026 from a preliminary 57.3, little changed from January’s 56.4. Still, it marked the highest reading since August 2025, following historically weak levels in recent months. All major components showed minimal movement, suggesting consumers see little change in economic conditions from the prior month. About 46% of respondents cited high prices as a strain on personal finances, with that share remaining above 40% for seven consecutive months. Perceptions varied notably across groups: sentiment improved among large stockholders but declined among households without equities. Similarly, higher-income and college-educated consumers reported gains, while lower-income and less-educated respondents did not. On inflation, one-year expectations dropped sharply to 3.4% from 4.0%, the lowest since January 2025, while longer-term expectations were unchanged at 3.3%.
Published on 2026-02-20

US Consumer Sentiment Rises for Third Month
The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index rose by 0.9 points to 57.3 in February 2026, marking a third consecutive monthly increase and beating market expectations of 55, according to preliminary data. Despite the improvement, sentiment remained roughly 20% below its level in January 2025. The gains were driven largely by consumers with significant stock holdings, while sentiment among households without equity exposure stagnated at depressed levels. Modest improvements in perceptions of current personal finances and buying conditions for durable goods were partly offset by a slight deterioration in long-term business expectations. Concerns over the erosion of household finances due to high prices and the risk of job losses remain widespread. On the price front, year-ahead inflation expectations fell sharply to 3.5% from 4.0% in January, the lowest level since January 2025, while longer-term inflation expectations edged up for a second month to 3.4% from 3.3%.
Published on 2026-02-06

US Consumer Sentiment Rises for Third Month
The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index rose by 0.9 points to 57.3 in February 2026, marking a third consecutive monthly increase and beating market expectations of 55, according to preliminary data. Despite the improvement, sentiment remained roughly 20% below its level in January 2025. The gains were driven largely by consumers with significant stock holdings, while sentiment among households without equity exposure stagnated at depressed levels. Modest improvements in perceptions of current personal finances and buying conditions for durable goods were partly offset by a slight deterioration in long-term business expectations. Concerns over the erosion of household finances due to high prices and the risk of job losses remain widespread. On the price front, year-ahead inflation expectations fell sharply to 3.5% from 4.0% in January, the lowest level since January 2025, while longer-term inflation expectations edged up for a second month to 3.4% from 3.3%.
Published on 2026-02-06

US Consumer Sentiment Ticks Higher in January
The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index was revised up to 56.4 in January 2026, from a preliminary 54.0 and December’s 52.9. This marks a second straight monthly increase and the highest reading since August, with modest gains recorded across all major components of the index. Although the improvement was incremental, it was notably broad based, spanning income levels, educational attainment, age groups, and political affiliations. That said, overall sentiment remains more than 20% below its level a year ago. Consumers continue to cite strains on purchasing power from elevated prices, alongside growing concerns about a potential softening in labor market conditions. Beyond tariff policy, foreign developments appear to have little influence on consumers’ economic perceptions. Year-ahead inflation expectations declined to 4.0%, the lowest level since January 2025, while longer-run inflation expectations edged up slightly to 3.3% from 3.2% in December.
Published on 2026-01-23

US Consumer Sentiment Rises Slightly in January
The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index inched up for the second consecutive month, rising to 54.0 in January 2026, its highest level since September 2025 and slightly above market expectations of 53.5, according to a preliminary estimate. Gains were concentrated among lower-income consumers, while sentiment among higher-income households slipped. Overall, US households reported modest improvement in economic perceptions over the past two months, but sentiment remains nearly 25% below January 2025 levels. Consumers continue to worry about high prices and a softening labor market, though concerns about tariffs appear to be gradually easing. Year-ahead inflation expectations held steady at 4.2%, the lowest since January 2025, yet still well above the 3.3% recorded a year ago. Meanwhile, long-term inflation expectations ticked up slightly, rising to 3.4% from 3.2% in December.
Published on 2026-01-09

US Consumer Sentiment Rises Slightly in January
The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index inched up for the second consecutive month, rising to 54.0 in January 2026, its highest level since September 2025 and slightly above market expectations of 53.5, according to a preliminary estimate. Gains were concentrated among lower-income consumers, while sentiment among higher-income households slipped. Overall, US households reported modest improvement in economic perceptions over the past two months, but sentiment remains nearly 25% below January 2025 levels. Consumers continue to worry about high prices and a softening labor market, though concerns about tariffs appear to be gradually easing. Year-ahead inflation expectations held steady at 4.2%, the lowest since January 2025, yet still well above the 3.3% recorded a year ago. Meanwhile, long-term inflation expectations ticked up slightly, rising to 3.4% from 3.2% in December.
Published on 2026-01-09

US Consumer Sentiment Revised Down
The University of Michigan consumer sentiment for the US was revised lower to 52.9 in December 2025 from a preliminary of 53.3. Both current conditions (50.4 vs 50.7) and expectations gauge (54.6 vs 55) were revised down. Meanwhile, inflation expectations for the year-ahead were revised up to 4.2% from 4.1% in the initial estimate and 4.1% in the previous month. The 5-year outlook, was steady at 3.2%.
Published on 2025-12-19

Michigan Consumer Confidence Index Rebounds
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 53.3 in December of 2025 from 51 in the previous month, which was the second-lowest result on record, coming ahead of market expectations of 52, according to a preliminary estimate. It was the first improvement in the headline index in five months, supported by improved expectations amid a 13% rise in expected personal finances, especially among younger consumers. Consistently, labor market expectations improved slightly but remained aggressively pessimistic on a historical standard. Meanwhile, year-ahead inflation expectations fell to 4.1% from 4.5%, the least since January, as consumers noted that concerns of tariff-related surges in prices have not come to fruition. Likewise, five-year inflation expectations softened to 3.2% from 3.4%. Still, uncertainty remained on the outlook of prices, as elevated variances on the survey's response remained higher than those of January this year.
Published on 2025-12-05

Michigan Consumer Confidence Index Rebounds
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 53.3 in December of 2025 from 51 in the previous month, which was the second-lowest result on record, coming ahead of market expectations of 52, according to a preliminary estimate. It was the first improvement in the headline index in five months, supported by the increase in the Consumer Expectations Index (55 vs 51 in November), the highest in four months. In the meantime, the Current Economic Conditions Index inched lower to 50.7 from 51.1 to continue underscoring the fragility in consumers' perception of their public finances. Year-ahead inflation expectations eased to 4.1% from 4.5%, the softest pace since January to mark four months of decline. Likewise, five-year inflation expectations eased to 3.2% from 3.4%.
Published on 2025-12-05

Michigan Consumer Confidence Index Rebounds
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 53.3 in December of 2025 from 51 in the previous month, which was the second-lowest result on record, coming ahead of market expectations of 52, according to a preliminary estimate. The Current Economic Conditions Index inched lower to 50.7 from 51.1 to continue underscoring the fragility in consumers' perception of their public finances. In the meantime, the Consumer Expectations Index rose to 55 from 51, the highest in four months. Year-ahead inflation expectations eased to 4.1% from 4.5%, the softest pace since January to mark four months of decline. Likewise, five-year inflation expectations eased to 4.2% from 3.4%.
Published on 2025-12-05

Michigan Consumer Confidence Index Rebounds
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 53.3 in December of 2025 from 51 in the previous month, which was the second-lowest result on record, coming ahead of market expectations of 52, according to a preliminary estimate. The Current Economic Conditions Index inched lower to 50.7 from 51.1 to continue underscoring the fragility in consumers' perception of their public finances. In the meantime, the Consumer Expectations Index rose to 55 from 51, the highest in four months. Year-ahead inflation expectations eased to 4.1% from 4.5%, the softest pace since January to mark four months of decline. Likewise, five-year inflation expectations eased to 3.2% from 3.4%.
Published on 2025-12-05

Michigan Consumer Confidence Index Rebounds
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 53.3 in December of 2025 from 51 in the previous month, which was the second-lowest result on record, coming ahead of market expectations of 52. The Current Economic Conditions Index inched lower to 50.7 from 51.1 to continue underscoring the fragility in consumers' perception of their public finances. In the meantime, the Consumer Expectations Index rose to 55 from 51, the highest in four months. Year-ahead inflation expectations eased to 4.1% from 4.5%, the softest pace since January to mark four months of decline. Likewise, five-year inflation expectations eased to 4.2% from 3.4%.
Published on 2025-12-05

US Consumer Sentiment Near Record Low
The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index rose slightly to 51.0 in November, up from a preliminary 50.3, following the end of the federal shutdown. Despite the modest lift, the reading remains the second-lowest on record, just above the June 2022 low, as consumers continue to grapple with high prices and weakening incomes. The Current Economic Conditions Index plunged 12.8% to an all-time low of 51.1, reflecting more than a 10% drop in assessments of personal finances and buying conditions for durables. The Consumer Expectations Index, however, edged up 1.4% to 51.0. By month-end, sentiment among consumers with the largest stock holdings erased earlier gains, falling about 2 points from October, likely due to recent market declines. Year-ahead inflation expectations eased slightly to 4.5% from 4.6%, marking three consecutive months of decline but remaining well above the 3.3% seen in January. In contrast, long-term inflation expectations softened to 3.4% from 3.9%.
Published on 2025-11-21

US Consumer Sentiment Falls to Over Three-Year Low
The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index fell to 50.3 in November 2025, down from 53.6 in October and below market expectations of 53.2, according to preliminary estimates. This marked the lowest reading since June 2022, driven by a 17% drop in assessments of current personal finances and an 11% fall in year-ahead expectations for business conditions.
Published on 2025-11-07

US Consumer Sentiment Falls to Second-Lowest on Record
The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index fell to 50.3 in November, down from 53.6 in October and below expectations of 53.2, a preliminary estimate showed. The reading marked the second-lowest on record, just above the June 2022 low, as Americans grew increasingly concerned about the potential economic fallout from the longest US government shutdown in history. The Current Economic Conditions Index fell to an all-time low of 52.3, driven by a 17% drop in assessments of current personal finances, while the Consumer Expectations Index slipped to a six-month low of 49.0, reflecting an 11% decline in year-ahead business expectations. Sentiment weakened broadly across age, income, and political groups, with one exception: households in the top third of stock ownership reported an 11% rise in confidence, supported by stock market strength. Inflation expectations were mixed: year-ahead inflation inched up to 4.7% from 4.6%, while long-term expectations eased to 3.6% from 3.9%.
Published on 2025-11-07

US Consumer Sentiment Falls to Over Three-Year Low
The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index fell to 50.3 in November 2025, down from 53.6 in October and below market expectations of 53.2, according to preliminary estimates. This marked the lowest reading since June 2022, driven by a 17% drop in assessments of current personal finances and an 11% fall in year-ahead expectations for business conditions.
Published on 2025-11-07

US Consumer Sentiment Falls to Second-Lowest on Record
The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index fell to 50.3 in November, down from 53.6 in October and below expectations of 53.2, a preliminary estimate showed. The reading marked the second-lowest on record, just above the June 2022 low, as Americans grew increasingly concerned about the potential economic fallout from the longest US government shutdown in history. There was a 17% drop in assessments of current personal finances and an 11% fall in year-ahead business expectations. The Consumer Expectations Index slipped to a six-month low of 49.0, while the Current Economic Conditions Index tumbled to an all-time low of 52.3. Sentiment weakened broadly across age, income, and political groups, with one exception: households in the top third of stock ownership reported an 11% rise in confidence, supported by continued stock market strength. On the price front, the year-ahead inflation edged up to 4.7% (from 4.6%), while long-run expectations eased to 3.6% (from 3.9%).
Published on 2025-11-07

US Consumer Sentiment Revised Down
The University of Michigan consumer sentiment for the US was revised lower to 53.6 in October 2025 from a preliminary of 55 and 55.1 in September. It is the lowest reading in five months, with both current conditions (58.6 vs 61) and expectations gauge (50.3 vs 51.2) revised down. Meanwhile, inflation expectations for the year-ahead declined to 4.6% from 4.7%, in line with the first estimate. The 5-year outlook however, was revised up to 3.9% from 3.7% in the initial estimate and 3.7% in the previous month. "Current personal finances inched up, while expected personal finances receded. Overall, consumers perceive few material changes in economic circumstances from last month; inflation and high prices remain at the forefront of consumers’ minds. There was little evidence this month that consumers connect the federal government shutdown to the economy", according to Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu.
Published on 2025-10-24

US Consumer Sentiment Little Changed in October
The University of Michigan consumer sentiment for the US came in at 55 in October 2025, compared to 55.1 in in September 2025 and forecasts of 54.2, preliminary estimates showed. Consumer sentiment was virtually unchanged from September, as improvements in current personal finances and year-ahead business conditions were offset by declines in expectations for future personal finances as well as current buying conditions for durables. The current economic conditions subindex increased to 61 from 60.4 while the expectations gauge edged down to 51.2 from 51.7. Overall, consumers perceive very few changes in the outlook for the economy from last month. Meanwhile, year-ahead inflation expectations edged down to 4.6% from 4.7% while long-run inflation expectations held steady at 3.7%.
Published on 2025-10-10

US Consumer Sentiment Little Changed in October
The University of Michigan consumer sentiment for the US came in at 55 in October 2025, compared to 55.1 in September and forecasts of 54.2, preliminary estimates showed. Consumer sentiment was virtually unchanged from September, as improvements in current personal finances and year-ahead business conditions were offset by declines in expectations for future personal finances as well as current buying conditions for durables. The current economic conditions subindex increased to 61 from 60.4 while the expectations gauge edged down to 51.2 from 51.7. Overall, consumers perceive very few changes in the outlook for the economy from last month. Meanwhile, year-ahead inflation expectations edged down to 4.6% from 4.7% while long-run inflation expectations held steady at 3.7%.
Published on 2025-10-10