U.S. consumer confidence falls to a seven-month low

ChainCatcher news, according to Caixin, U.S. consumer confidence fell to a seven-month low in early February, with the preliminary Michigan Consumer Confidence Index dropping 3.3 points to 67.8. This data is below the expectations of all economists surveyed. As U.S. President Donald Trump pushes forward with tariff measures, the inflation outlook faces numerous uncertainties.

If all tariffs on major U.S. trading partners take effect and lead to price increases, it could weigh on consumer spending. The survey shows that the shopping sentiment index for big-ticket items fell by 12 percentage points from the previous month.

In addition, overall confidence across all political factions has declined. The current conditions index dropped from 74 to a three-month low of 68.7; the expectations index fell to 67.3, the lowest since November 2023. The index reflecting personal financial expectations fell to its lowest point since October 2023 in early February. The index measuring the economic outlook for the next year also decreased.