US Consumer Confidence Rises 12 Points in May After Five-Month Decline

Consumer confidence in the United States rebounded in May after five months of decline, with the Conference Board's index rising 12.3 points to 98, indicating improved optimism about the economy following the easing of U.S.-China trade tensions. Consumers showed increased expectations for business conditions, employment, and future incomes, though concerns about job availability persisted for the fifth consecutive month. Despite this, worries about affording necessities outweighed fears of unemployment, and inflation concerns remained due to tariffs and high prices. The improved confidence was partly attributed to hopes that trade deals would support economic activity, although confidence levels remain below those from late 2024. Meanwhile, consumer sentiment in other regions, such as Finland and Australia, reflected differing trends, with Finnish consumers slightly less confident overall but optimistic about personal finances and Australian confidence dropping amid concerns about economic performance and rising pessimism about the economy. The broader context includes ongoing uncertainty around trade policies and tariffs, influencing consumer and business outlooks globally.