September US Consumer Confidence Falls on Declines in Current Conditions, Expectations

10:19 AM EDT, 09/30/2025 (MT Newswires) -- The Conference Board's measure of consumer confidence fell to 94.2 in September from 97.8 in August, below a reading of 96.0 expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:35 am ET and the lowest level since April 2025.

The present situation reading fell to 125.4 from 132.4, while the expectations reading decreased to 73.4 from 74.7.

The current assessment of both employment and business conditions worsened in September, pulling down the present situation reading.

"Consumers were a bit more pessimistic about future job availability and future business conditions but optimism about future income increased, mitigating the overall decline in the Expectations Index," said Stephanie Guichard, Senior Economist, Global Indicators at The Conference Board.

"Consumers' write-in responses showed that references to prices and inflation rose in September, regaining its top position as the main topic influencing consumers' views of the economy," Guichard added. "References to tariffs declined this month but remained elevated and continued to be associated with concerns about higher prices."

The monthly consumer confidence index from the Conference Board measures consumer sentiment in the current month, with the headline index a combination of the present situation and expectations for the near future. The report also includes the current and future assessments for business and employment conditions.

An increase in the reading suggests consumers are more confident, a positive for stocks if that confidence translates into spending. Increased demand is usually inflationary, a negative for bonds.

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