An earlier survey of Americans found consumers had grown more optimistic about the economy.
Jan 27, 2026, 10:26am ESTThe consumer confidence index “collapsed” to its lowest point in more than a decade, the Conference Board think tank reported Tuesday, as pessimistic views of the economy and labor market appeared to spread among Americans.
Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesThe consumer confidence index, a measurement of how optimistic or pessimistic Americans feel about the economy, dropped to 84.5 in January from December’s revised-up reading of 94.2, down from a 100-point baseline set in 1986 and the measurement’s lowest level since May 2014 .Consumers’ views about current business conditions worsened through the month, with 17.9% of respondents indicating conditions were “good,” down from 19.8% in December, and 17.8% said conditions were “bad,” up from 17.6%. Views of the labor market also deteriorated, as 23.9% of consumers said jobs were “plentiful,” down from 27.5% in December, and 20.8% said jobs were “hard to get,” up from 19.1% and the highest since February 2021.Fewer Americans believe their incomes will increase over the next six months, and even more expect fewer jobs to be available, according to the Conference Board. About 15.6% of consumers expect business conditions to improve, down from last month’s reading of 18.7%, and 22.9% expect conditions to worsen, up from 21.3%. Consumers appeared more cautious about plans for buying big-ticket items, such as cars and household appliances, and planned spending on services like health care and personal care also declined.“Confidence collapsed in January, as consumer concerns about the present situation and expectations for the future deepened,” said Dana Peterson, the Conference Board’s chief economist. Peterson added write-in responses for the survey “continued to skew toward pessimism,” as consumers referenced rising prices, especially for oil, gas and groceries, as well as increased health care costs.The Federal Reserve concludes its latest policymaking meeting on Jan. 28, though traders have priced in odds of just 2.8% of interest rates lowering from a range of 3.5% to 3.75%, according to CME’s FedWatchConcerns about the labor market and inflation have persisted in recent months, with more Americans pointing to rising costs and declining finances. The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment report, which reflects Americans’ views on personal finance and the cost of living, showed economic optimism rose to a five-month high in January, though it remained near a historic low. Joanne Hsu, director of the survey, said consumers reported “pressure on their purchasing power” stemming from higher prices and the “prospect of weakening labor markets.”
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US consumer confidence collapses to lowest level since 2014U.S. consumer confidence declined sharply in January, hitting the lowest level since 2014 as Americans grow increasingly concerned about their financial prospects. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index cratered 9.7 points to 84.5 in January, falling below even the lowest readings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Americans' confidence in the U.S. economy falls sharply in January to lowest level since 2014U.S. consumer confidence declined sharply in January, hitting the lowest level since 2014 as Americans grow increasingly concerned about their financial prospects.
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Americans' confidence in the U.S. economy falls sharply in January to lowest level since 2014U.S. consumer confidence declined sharply in January, hitting the lowest level since 2014 as Americans grow increasingly concerned about their financial prospects.
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Americans' confidence in economy falls sharply in January to lowest level since 2014U.S. consumer confidence declined sharply in January, hitting the lowest level since 2014 as Americans grow increasingly concerned about their financial prospects
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Confidence in US economy sharply drops to lowest level since 2014U.S. consumer confidence declined sharply in January, hitting the lowest level since 2014 as Americans grow increasingly concerned about their financial prospec
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Americans’ confidence in the U.S. economy falls sharply in January to lowest level since 2014The Conference Board said consumer confidence fell below even the lowest readings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more »