The Thomson Reuters IPSOS Primary Consumer Sentiment Index (PCSI) for the United States declined in October 2026, signaling a weakening in consumer confidence. The index fell to 45.18 in October from 50.45 in September 2026, according to data updated on 14 October 2026.
The move pushes the indicator below the 50-point threshold, often viewed as a dividing line between broadly optimistic and pessimistic sentiment. The October reading suggests U.S. consumers have become more cautious about economic conditions compared with the previous month.
While the underlying drivers of the decline are not detailed in the latest release, the downturn in the PCSI may have implications for consumer spending behavior and, by extension, for growth expectations in the final quarter of 2026.
