Consumer sentiment in the United States weakened notably in September 2026, as the Michigan Consumer Expectations index fell to 45.8 from 51.5 in August 2026. The latest reading, updated on 11 September 2026, signals a marked deterioration in how households view the economic outlook.
The drop in the expectations component suggests that U.S. consumers have grown more cautious about future economic conditions, including income prospects, business conditions, and employment. With the index now well below the August level, the data point underscores rising uncertainty and could have implications for future consumer spending and broader economic momentum heading into the final quarter of 2026.
