US consumer confidence slips to five-month low, Conference Board data shows

(Sharecast News) - Consumer sentiment in the United States slipped in September, according to a closely followed survey on Tuesday, with concerns about job availability and the current economic environment dampening the mood. The Conference Board's consumer confidence index fell 3.6 points to 94.2 this month, down from 97.8 in August. This was below the consensus forecast of 96.0 and the lowest level since April.

The present situation index, which tracks opinions about current business and labour market conditions, declined 7.0 points to 125.4 - the largest drop in a year.

Just 19.5% of consumers said business conditions were good at the moment, down from 21.8% the month before, while the proportion saying jobs were "plentiful" fell to 26.9% from 30.2%.

Meanwhile, the expectations index also fell 1.3 points to 73.4, further below the 80-point threshold which typically signals a recession ahead - where it has remained since February.

"Consumers' write-in responses showed that references to prices and inflation rose in September, regaining its top position as the main topic influencing consumers' views of the economy," said Stephanie Guichard, senior economist of Global Indicators at The Conference Board.

"References to tariffs declined this month, but remained elevated and continued to be associated with concerns about higher prices."