NEW YORK, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. consumer sentiment in September reached the lowest reading in four months, and ticked down 15 percent from January amid trade tensions, high prices and interest rates, a survey showed Friday.
According to a final reading released by the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers, the Index of Consumer Sentiment slipped to 48.1 in the September 2026 survey, down from 51.7 in August and below last September's 55.1.
The Current Economic Conditions Index fell to 50.9, down from 51.9 in August and below last September's 60.4. The Index of Consumer Expectations dropped to 46.3, down from 51.5 in September and below last September's 51.7.
Views of current and year-ahead expected personal finances both weakened about 10 percent in September, with concerns over high prices continuing to climb. About 55 percent of consumers cited elevated prices as a negative factor for their personal finances, up from 53 percent in August and 44 percent a year ago.
The re-escalation of trade tensions and rising interest rates also weighed on consumers in September. Unsolicited comments about tariffs rose from 24 percent in July to 35 percent in September.
September's decline in sentiment was seen across the political spectrum. Republican sentiment is now 20 percent lower than January and below its historical average. Democrats are down 13 percent over the same period.
Year-ahead inflation expectations jumped from 4 percent in August to 4.6 percent in September, the highest reading since June. The current reading substantially exceeds the 3.4 percent seen in February before the Iran conflict began. Long-run inflation expectations also rose to 3.4 percent, ending three consecutive months at 3.3 percent. ■
