US Consumer Confidence Falls to Lowest Level Since 2014 Ahead of Midterms

The Conference Board's US Consumer Confidence Index, released Tuesday, 7 Mehr 1405 (September 29, 2026), fell to its lowest level since 2014, just over a month before the US congressional midterm elections, Al Jazeera reported. Dana M. Peterson, the Conference Board's chief economist, said the index deteriorated notably in September following two prior months of softening, with consumers pointing to higher costs for goods and services as the primary reason for the decline.

Citing data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), the report said the average US price for a gallon of petrol rose 37 cents over the past month to $4.45 on Tuesday, up from $4.08 a month earlier. Peterson said oil and gas prices in particular rose to new heights, reflecting September's surge in fuel costs. The report landed a day ahead of the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index, the inflation gauge the Federal Reserve watches most closely; the Fed, which raised interest rates earlier this month for the first time in three years, is due to make its next rate decision at its October 27 to 28 meeting.