US consumer confidence falls more than expected in September

​​​​​​​By Mucahithan Avcioglu

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Conference Board's US Consumer Confidence Index declined by 3.6 points to 94.2 in September, reversing a downward move in the previous month, according to data released Tuesday.

The figure followed the August data of 97.8 points, while markets expected the September figure to come in at 96.

The Present Situation Index, which reflects American consumers' assessments of current job and labor market conditions, fell by 7 points to 125.4 in September.

The Expectations Index, which is consumers' short-term assessments of income, job, and labor market conditions, dropped by 1.3 points to 73.4.

The index was below the threshold of 80, ​​​​​​​the level indicating a recession is expected in the next year.

“Consumer confidence weakened in September, declining to the lowest level since April 2025,” said Stephanie Guichard, a senior economist at the Conference Board.

Stating that consumers’ assessment of business conditions was much less positive than in recent months, Guichard said their appraisal of current job availability fell for the ninth straight month to reach a new multiyear low.

Guichard noted that consumers’ write-in responses showed a rise in references to inflation and prices, regaining its top position as the main topic influencing consumers’ views of the economy.

"References to tariffs declined this month, but remained elevated and continued to be associated with concerns about higher prices," she noted.

However, Guichard added that consumers’ average 12-month inflation expectations ticked down, to 5.8% in September from 6.1% in August. "This is still notably above 5%, the level at the end of 2024."