### Consumer Confidence Takes a Hit Amid Job Market and Tariff Concerns In June 2025, U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly declined, reflecting growing concerns about the job market and economic uncertainty, particularly due to the Trump administration's tariffs. The Conference Board's consumer-confidence index fell to 93 from 98.4 in May, marking a significant drop that surprised analysts and wiped out previous gains in consumer sentiment. This downturn is indicative of a broader trend, as Americans' views on the economy have soured, reaching levels not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic five years ago [https://www.reuters.com/business/us-consumer-confidence-deteriorates-june-2025-06-24, https://www.wsj.com/economy/consumers/survey-shows-u-s-consumer-confidence-worsened-in-june-750bf7df]. ### Breakdown of Consumer Confidence Decline 1. **Index Performance**: The Conference Board's consumer-confidence index fell to 93, a notable decrease from 98.4 in May, indicating a significant shift in consumer sentiment [https://www.fxstreet.com/news/us-cb-consumer-confidence-index-declines-to-93-in-june-202506241435]. 2. **Economic Outlook**: Concerns over job availability and the impact of tariffs have led to a pessimistic view of the economy, with many Americans feeling anxious about their financial futures [https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2025-06-24/americans-view-of-the-economy-slides-in-june-wiping-out-gains-from-previous-month]. 3. **Recession Fears**: The decline in consumer confidence is attributed to fears of a potential recession, which has affected purchasing decisions and overall economic outlook [https://www.indexbox.io/blog/consumer-confidence-declines-again-in-june]. 4. **Interest Rate Expectations**: A significant portion of consumers, 57%, expect interest rates to rise, the highest percentage since October 2023, further contributing to the decline in confidence [https://www.rismedia.com/2025/06/24/consumer-confidence-retreats-june-erasing-some-recent-gains]. ### Supporting Data on Consumer Confidence - **Consumer Confidence Index**: - June 2025: **93** - May 2025: **98.4** - **Expectations of Interest Rate Increase**: - **57%** of consumers expect rates to rise, the highest since October 2023 [https://www.rismedia.com/2025/06/24/consumer-confidence-retreats-june-erasing-some-recent-gains]. ### Summary of Findings The decline in U.S. consumer confidence in June 2025 can be summarized as follows: 1. **Significant Drop**: The consumer-confidence index fell to 93, erasing previous gains and surprising analysts [https://www.fxstreet.com/news/us-cb-consumer-confidence-index-declines-to-93-in-june-202506241435]. 2. **Economic Concerns**: Growing worries about job availability and the impact of tariffs have led to a negative outlook on the economy, with consumer sentiment reaching its lowest point since the COVID-19 pandemic [https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2025-06-24/americans-view-of-the-economy-slides-in-june-wiping-out-gains-from-previous-month]. 3. **Recession and Interest Rates**: Fears of a recession and expectations of rising interest rates are contributing factors to the decline in consumer confidence [https://www.indexbox.io/blog/consumer-confidence-declines-again-in-june]. In conclusion, the current economic climate, characterized by job market fears and tariff-related anxieties, has led to a notable decline in consumer confidence, raising concerns about future economic stability and consumer spending patterns.