SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard SaysSurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September
Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.
The Conference Board’s monthly consumer confidence index fell by about four points to 94.2 in September.
New York—U.S. consumer confidence fell again in September, dropping to its lowest level since April.
The Conference Board’s monthly consumer confidence index fell to 94.2 from an upwardly revised 97.8 in August.
Notably, consumer sentiment about the present situation registered its largest drop in a year, according to Stephanie Guichard, senior economist, global indicators, at The Conference Board.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ current view of business and labor market conditions, fell to 125.4 from an upwardly revised 132.4 in August.
“Consumers’ assessment of business conditions was much less positive than in recent months, while their appraisal of current job availability fell for the ninth straight month to reach a new multiyear low. This is consistent with the decline in job openings,” she said.
The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ outlook on income, business, and labor market conditions in the near future, fell to 73.4 from a downwardly revised 74.7 in August.
It marks the eighth consecutive month that expectations remained below the threshold of 80, a level which typically signals a recession ahead, according to The Conference Board.
“Consumers were a bit more pessimistic about future job availability and future business conditions but optimism about future income increased, mitigating the overall decline in the Expectations Index,” said Guichard.
Confidence rose for consumers under 35 years old but declined for consumers over the age of 35.
By income group, confidence was mixed, said The Conference board, with no clear pattern.
Confidence stayed above its April low for all income groups, except for households making between $25,000 to $35,000 and those making more than $200,000.
By political party, confidence improved slightly for Democrats and Republicans, but “dropped substantially” for Independents.
Related stories will be right here …
The Conference Board’s monthly consumer confidence index fell to 94.2 from an upwardly revised 97.8 in August.
Notably, consumer sentiment about the present situation registered its largest drop in a year, according to Stephanie Guichard, senior economist, global indicators, at The Conference Board.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ current view of business and labor market conditions, fell to 125.4 from an upwardly revised 132.4 in August.
“Consumers’ assessment of business conditions was much less positive than in recent months, while their appraisal of current job availability fell for the ninth straight month to reach a new multiyear low. This is consistent with the decline in job openings,” she said.
The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ outlook on income, business, and labor market conditions in the near future, fell to 73.4 from a downwardly revised 74.7 in August.
It marks the eighth consecutive month that expectations remained below the threshold of 80, a level which typically signals a recession ahead, according to The Conference Board.
“Consumers were a bit more pessimistic about future job availability and future business conditions but optimism about future income increased, mitigating the overall decline in the Expectations Index,” said Guichard.
Confidence rose for consumers under 35 years old but declined for consumers over the age of 35.
By income group, confidence was mixed, said The Conference board, with no clear pattern.
Confidence stayed above its April low for all income groups, except for households making between $25,000 to $35,000 and those making more than $200,000.
By political party, confidence improved slightly for Democrats and Republicans, but “dropped substantially” for Independents.
Looking at the write-in responses, references to prices and inflation rose in September, “regaining its top position as the main topic influencing consumers’ views of the economy,” said Guichard.
References to tariffs declined but were still high and tied to concerns about higher prices.
Consumers’ average 12-month inflation expectations declined slightly to 5.8 percent from 6.1 percent in August.
“This is still notably above 5 percent, the level at the end of 2024,” added Guichard.
Write-in mentions of jobs and employment rose to a level not seen since August 2024, with the comments skewing negative, particularly regarding the current situation.
Consumers’ view of stock prices improved slightly in September, with fewer respondents expecting to see stock prices decrease over the next 12 months.
The share of respondents expecting to see stock prices rise has been flat since July.
Fewer consumers expected to see interest rates rise, while more expected them to decline.
Consumers’ views of their family’s current and future financial situation weakened in September.
Their view of the current situation for this metric recorded the largest one-month drop since The Conference Board began collecting this data in July 2022.
The share of consumers who said that a recession is “very likely” over the next 12 months rose slightly in September to the highest level since May.
Notably, more respondents thought the economy was already in recession.
Plans to purchase cars, both new and used, declined in September. However, plans to buy homes hit a four-month high.
Purchasing plans for big-ticket items recorded little change, but there was variation across appliances.
Plans to buy TVs and dryers saw the largest increase in September, while refrigerators posted the largest decline.
Plans to buy electronics were mostly up, with smartphones leading the way. Notably, Apple debuted its new iPhone 17 on Sept. 9.
Notably, intentions to buy services were down, with declines seen across most categories but especially travel-related services.
Vacation planning fell to its lowest level since April, with fewer plans to travel abroad driving the decline.
More on Surveys
The Latest
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
Weekly QuizOct 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful ShowThe month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From VicenzaoroAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.
SourcingOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.
CrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store ScamTwo men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John HardyThe “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.
IndependentsSep 30, 2025
Spinelli Kilcollin Announces Residency in DallasThe brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Nina Pugliese, Longtime Henne Jewelers Employee, Dies at 65She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear FocusMove over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Mark Henry Jewelry to Debut in CanadaThe New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.
MajorsSep 29, 2025
Overnight Releases New Bridal CatalogThe “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2025
Winners of Austin Jewelry Design Contest Announced Jamie Turner Designs is among the winners of the local “Austin Shines” contest, hosted by Eliza Page, a jewelry store in Austin, Texas.
TrendsSep 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kwit Jewelry’s Square Signet Pinky RingThe red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-InA trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond ProductionThe manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.
IndependentsSep 25, 2025
Alex Moss’ New Flagship Brings Bold Jewels to SoHoThe jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.
WatchesSep 25, 2025
Wilson & Son Jewelers Donates to the Horological Society of New YorkThe Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.
