U.S. consumer confidence has declined for the fifth consecutive month, matching the longest record since the 2008 financial crisis.

Consumer confidence in the United States has dropped for the fifth consecutive month, reflecting the public's increasing pessimism about labor market and business environment prospects. Data released on Tuesday showed that the Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index fell to 89.1 in December, lower than the previous month's 92.9, marking the longest decline since the 2008 financial crisis. Conference Board Chief Economist Dana M. Peterson said, "Despite the upward revision to November data due to the end of the government shutdown, consumer confidence slid again in December, remaining well below its peak in January. Four of the five components of the index declined, with one at a significantly weak level." Peterson also noted that in open-ended responses, consumers continued to focus mainly on economic factors such as prices and inflation, tariffs and trade, and politics. However, there was an increase in mentions of immigration, war, and personal finance-related topics in December. While these responses remained predominantly negative, the degree of pessimism had lessened compared to November, possibly due to fewer negative comments on prices and inflation, as well as a rebound in positive responses about interest rates. In terms of sub-indexes, the Present Situation Index plummeted to 116.8, its lowest level since February 2021; while the Expectations Index for the next six months remained almost unchanged in December, indicating that consumers still hold a cautious view on the short-term outlook. Analysts pointed out that high levels of inflation and concerns about a weakening job market have continuously dampened consumer sentiment throughout the year, keeping the index hovering in low territory since the pandemic. With slowing employment growth, rising unemployment rates, and inflation still above the Federal Reserve's policy target, households are further burdened by economic uncertainty. Economists anticipate that recruitment activities will remain subdued next year, with limited room for improvement in the unemployment rate, thereby continuing to pressure consumer confidence. Additionally, analysts expect a further slowdown in wage growth in 2026, which could exacerbate consumption disparities among different income groups, adding new uncertainties to the economic outlook in the United States.