美国消费者信心指数连续五个月走低，通胀与就业仍存隐忧

Core Insights - The consumer confidence index in the U.S. dropped from a revised 92.9 in November to 89.1 in December, marking the lowest level since April and reflecting a negative outlook on the business environment and increasing concerns about employment and income [1][4] Group 1: Consumer Confidence Index - The consumer confidence index has declined for five consecutive months, indicating growing uncertainty among consumers regarding the future economic outlook [1][4] - Four out of five components of the consumer confidence index decreased, with the only remaining component showing significant weakness [1] - The consumer expectations index, which reflects short-term income prospects, business, and employment market conditions, remained low at 70.7, significantly below the critical threshold of 80, which is a key indicator of potential economic recession [3][5] Group 2: Economic Implications - The decline in consumer confidence is a critical indicator for the U.S. economy, as consumer spending is a major pillar of economic activity [4] - There are concerns that the U.S. economy may enter a "soft recession," characterized by low growth, slowing employment, and persistent inflationary pressures [3][5] - The rigid nature of current inflation is expected to further erode wage growth, impacting consumer confidence and spending [4]