Consumer confidence in the United States fell again in October amid concerns over prices and credit costs. The preliminary index from the University of Michigan dropped to 46.3 points, down from 48.1 in September, according to results released on Friday, October 9, 2026.
The decline, equivalent to 3.7% compared to the previous month, places the index below the 53.6 points recorded in October 2025. The data comes from the official Surveys of Consumers by the University of Michigan, which measures how households perceive their economic situation and what they expect in the coming months.
Joanne Hsu, the director of the study, noted that discontent regarding the cost of living continues to rise, and that respondents, regardless of their political preferences, believe that the trajectory of the economy has weakened since the beginning of the year.
Large purchases are becoming complicated, worsening the perception of the current economy
The most significant indicator of decline is found in the assessment of current economic conditions, with its index dropping from 50.9 points in September to 44.7 in October, a decrease of 12.2%.
According to the university, the perception of the conditions for purchasing durable goods has significantly worsened due to high prices and financing costs. This is a relevant signal for decisions such as acquiring appliances and other high-priced products, although the survey does not alone demonstrate that sales of those items have decreased.
Pessimism was not uniform across all indicators: the economic expectations index rose slightly, from 46.3 to 47.3 points. There was also a slight improvement in the one-year outlook for personal finances and business conditions, despite the worsening assessment of the current situation.
Hsu highlighted that the largest declines in confidence occurred among consumers with lower incomes and those with smaller stock market investments, who have fewer financial resources to cope with rising prices. The survey recorded increases in confidence among both Democrats and Republicans, offset by a decline among independents.
Consumers expect more inflation in the coming months
The inflation expectation for the next twelve months rose from 4.6% in September to 4.7% in October. For the longer-term outlook, participants' forecasts also increased, from 3.4% to 3.5%.
It is important to distinguish these figures from the inflation that has actually been recorded: the percentages reflect what consumers believe prices will rise, not the result of the official consumer price index published by the United States Government.
Concerns about fuel and other basic expenses are part of the context of this deterioration. In September, CiberCuba reported on the rising cost of diesel in the U.S. and its potential impact on transportation and distribution costs of food.
What does this decline mean for families in the United States?
The report indicates that some households feel less comfortable with the current economic situation for making significant purchases and are concerned about further price increases. However, consumer confidence does not translate to actual family spending: it is a measure of perceptions and expectations, not of purchases, salaries, or observed inflation.
The results are national and do not, on their own, indicate how the trust of residents in Miami, Florida, or the Cuban community in the United States has changed.
The October reading is still preliminary and may be revised. The University of Michigan is scheduled to release the final results for October on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time).
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