U.S. Consumer Confidence Index Drops for Third Consecutive Month

In Brief:

Consumer confidence fell another 11% in March, marking a 22% decline since December 2024.

Economic uncertainty and policy fluctuations have worsened expectations across all demographics and political affiliations.

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The University of Michigan’s Consumer Surveys report shows a continued decline in U.S. consumer confidence, with sentiment dropping 11% in March and marking a third consecutive monthly decline. The index is now 22% lower than December 2024, as economic uncertainty and policy instability weigh on expectations.

Consumers across all age, income, and political groups expressed growing pessimism about personal finances, inflation, the labor market, and stock market conditions. Notably, the expectations index for Democrats fell by 24%, while Republicans and Independents saw declines of 10% and 12%, respectively. The widespread downturn underscores rising concerns over future economic stability.

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