Consumer expectations in the United States weakened in May, according to the latest reading of the Michigan Consumer Expectations index. The indicator eased to 44.1 in May 2026, down from a previous level of 48.1 recorded earlier in the same month.
The decline suggests that households have grown more cautious about the economic outlook, with confidence slipping further into pessimistic territory. The update, published on 22 May 2026, underscores a cooling in sentiment that could weigh on consumer spending if the trend persists, as expectations typically influence major household financial decisions and longer-term consumption patterns.
