NEW YORK, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Consumer Sentiment Index released Friday by the University of Michigan (UM) Surveys of Consumers fell to 55 in the October 2025 survey, slightly lower than September's 55.1 reading but better than expectations, as the consensus forecast of economists called for a reading of 54.2.
The preliminary reading of the Current Economic Conditions Index for October was 61, higher than the 60.4 reading in September but lower than 64.9 in October 2024. The Index of Consumer Expectations was 51.2, lower than September's 51.7 reading and down 30.9 percent from 74.1 in October 2024.
Year-ahead inflation expectations ebbed from 4.7 percent in September to a still-high 4.6 percent in October. Long-run inflation expectations held steady at 3.7 percent.
"Consumer sentiment moved sideways this month. At 55 index points, sentiment is virtually unchanged from September," said economist Joanne Hsu, director of the UM's Surveys of Consumers.
"Pocketbook issues like high prices and weakening job prospects remain at the forefront of consumers' minds. At this time, consumers do not expect meaningful improvement in these factors," she added. ■