US consumer sentiment eases to four-month low in September

WASHINGTON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - ‌US consumer sentiment ​slipped ​to a four-month low in September amid worries that rising inflation would erode households' ‌purchasing power, a survey showed on Friday.

The University ⁠of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers said its Consumer Sentiment Index fell ‌to a final reading ‌of 48.1 this month from 51.7 in August. This was, however, an improvement from a preliminary reading of ​47.8. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the index at 47.6.

The index is down 15% from ⁠January. The University of Michigan said consumers' views of current and year-ahead expected ​personal finances both weakened about 10%, with concerns over high prices continuing to climb.

"Overall, interviews ​reveal broad agreement across the ‌political spectrum that the outlook for the economy has weakened since the beginning of ⁠the year," said Joanne Hsu, the director of the Surveys of Consumers. "After particularly large declines in sentiment this month, Republican ⁠sentiment is now 20% lower than January 2026. Democrats are ​down 13% over the same period."

The survey's measure of consumer expectations for inflation over the next year increased to 4.6% from ‌4.0% in August. Twelve-month inflation expectations have surged from 3.4% in February before the ‌US-Israeli war with Iran started. Consumers' expectations for inflation ⁠over the next five ‌years edged up to ​3.4% after holding at 3.3% for three straight months.

(Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Andrea ‌Ricci )

---

Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

---

You May Also Be Interested In

• Exclusive-ShinyHunters hackers say they stole psychiatric and medical records of FBI staff
• Meta bolsters Muse safety warning after security vulnerability found, The Information reports
• US immigration crackdown hits Kansas, disrupts beef processing