Brief
US consumer confidence falls to its lowest level since 2014 ahead of midterms
The Conference Board says confidence fell sharply in September, driven by higher fuel costs and a recent Federal Reserve rate hike.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Conference Board reported on Tuesday that US consumer confidence slipped to its lowest level since 2014, just over a month before the congressional midterm elections.
Chief economist Dana M. Peterson said the Consumer Confidence Index deteriorated notably in September after two months of softening, with higher gasoline prices a key driver. The American Automobile Association said the average price of a gallon of petrol rose 37 cents in the past month to $4.45.
The decline was recorded across all political affiliations, and a Marist poll showed 42 % of respondents believe the Democratic Party would handle the economy better than the Republicans (34 %). The report arrived a day after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in three years, increasing borrowing costs for credit cards, auto and mortgage loans.
Markets reacted modestly, with the Nasdaq down 0.08 %, the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.2 % and the S&P 500 down 0.1 % as the trading day closed.
Key facts
- US consumer confidence fell to its lowest level since 2014 in September 2026. (aljazeera.com)
- Average gasoline price rose 37 cents to $4.45 per gallon over the past month. (aljazeera.com)
- The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in three years earlier in September 2026. (aljazeera.com)
- Confidence declined across all political affiliations, with Democrats viewed more favorably on the economy by 42% of respondents. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “US consumer confidence hits its lowest level since 2014 ahead of midterms”
