U.S. Consumer Confidence Falls To Lowest Level Since 2014
The Conference Board reported on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, that its Consumer Confidence Index fell 6.7 points to 81.9 for September, the lowest reading since 2014.[1] The decline could presage weaker household spending, which drives most U.S. economic growth.
The board's present situation component dropped 7.9 points to 109.3, and the expectations index fell 5.9 points to 63.6, both signaling growing pessimism among consumers.[1]
August consumer prices rose 3.4 percent from a year earlier and were 0.4 percent higher than in July. The Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate to about 3.9 percent roughly two weeks before the confidence report. Average regular gasoline prices stood about $4.46 per gallon in late September. The war involving Iran has pushed the Fed's preferred personal consumption expenditures inflation gauge from 2.8 percent before the conflict to 3.7 percent in June.
Those price and policy shifts help explain why consumers reported worse views of both current conditions and future prospects. Economists caution that sustained low confidence can reduce spending and slow hiring, complicating the recovery from recent inflation shocks.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index fell 6.7 points to 81.9 for September.
- The present situation component dropped 7.9 points to 109.3 and the expectations index fell 5.9 points to 63.6, both signaling growing pessimism.
- August CPI was 3.4% higher than a year earlier and 0.4% above July, while the Fed raised its key interest rate to about 3.9% two weeks earlier.
- Average regular gasoline prices stood at $4.46 per gallon in late September, and the Iran war has pushed the Fed’s preferred PCE inflation gauge from 2.8% pre-war to 3.7% in June.
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