Consumer sentiment nears lowest level ever as worries build over shutdown

Core Insights - The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has significantly impacted consumer sentiment, driving it to its lowest level in over three years, with a reading of 50.3 in November, reflecting a 6.2% decline from the previous month and approximately 30% from a year ago [2][3][4]. Consumer Sentiment - The University of Michigan's Index of Consumer Sentiment indicates a notable decline, with economists expecting a higher reading of 53.0, compared to the actual reading of 50.3 [3][4]. - The current conditions index fell to 52.3, marking an almost 11% drop from the previous month, while consumer expectations decreased to 49.0, down 2.6% [5]. Economic Concerns - Consumer worries about the government shutdown have overshadowed positive sentiment from record-high stock prices, with widespread declines in sentiment observed across various demographics, including age, income, and political affiliation [4]. - The survey highlighted that sentiment among individuals with significant stock holdings improved by 11%, indicating a disparity in consumer sentiment based on asset holdings [6]. Inflation Outlook - Inflation expectations remain relatively stable, with the one-year outlook slightly increasing to 4.7%, while the five-year outlook decreased by 0.3 percentage points to 3.6% [5].