Consumer confidence fell in September as consumer concerns about the cost of fuel and other goods and services rose to new heights, The Conference Board said in a Tuesday (Sept. 29) press release.
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index fell by 6.7 points during September to reach 81.9 at the end of the month, according to the release.
An index measuring consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions retreated by 7.9 points to 109.3, while an index gauging their short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions fell by 5.9 points to 63.6, per the release.
“Consumers’ write-in responses regarding factors affecting the economy were mostly pessimistic in September,” Dana M Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board, said in the release. “Reference to prices, the high cost of goods and services, and oil and gas prices in particular, rose to new heights, reflecting September’s surge in fuel costs.”
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Consumers’ comments about war and conflict eased during the month but remained elevated, Peterson said.
AAA reported Thursday (Sept. 24) that the national average gas price reached the highest it has ever been for this time of year.
The University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers reported Monday (Sept. 28) that consumer sentiment slipped in September amid concerns about high prices and rekindled trade disputes.
The survey’s final results for September showed that the Index for Consumer Sentiment declined by 7% compared to a month ago and 12.7% compared to a year ago.
“Overall, interviews reveal broad agreement across the political spectrum that the outlook for the economy has weakened since the beginning of the year,” Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu said in the report. “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 PYMNTS Consumer Expectations Index for September fell 0.7 points to 54.1 as views of the economy, buying conditions and job mobility weakened. Most of the decline was driven by consumers’ feelings about the economy overall and the timing of big purchases.
Another PYMNTS Intelligence report, “Gen X’s Savings Split: Retirement on Track, Emergency Cash Running Short” found that Gen X consumers are saving less because of their rising regular expenses.
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