US Consumer Confidence Falls to Three-Month Low Amid Job and Price Concerns

U.S. consumer confidence declined slightly in October 2025 amid concerns over job availability, inflation, tariffs, and the ongoing government shutdown. The Conference Board's consumer confidence index fell to 94.6, with the expectations index dropping to 71.5, signaling caution about the economic outlook and possible recession risks. Despite this, some indicators showed modest improvements, such as a slight uptick in present conditions and a marginally more positive hiring outlook, although consumers were more pessimistic about future job availability and business conditions. Younger consumers and those with higher incomes largely remained more optimistic, while confidence declined among lower-income groups and older age brackets. These sentiments reflect ongoing anxiety about tariffs imposed by President Trump, persistent inflation, and trade tensions, despite some economic indicators improving from mid-year lows. Overall, consumers' economic sentiment remains cautious, with spending behavior and inflation expectations indicating guarded confidence in the near term.