US consumer confidence slightly rises, but budget concerns still remain

Golden Finance reports that the US December Consumer Confidence Index increase was below expectations, remaining in a subdued state due to ongoing concerns about affordability. According to a report released on Friday, the University of Michigan’s December final Consumer Confidence Index rose 1.9 points to 52.9, with an economist consensus forecast of 53.5. “Although there are some signs of improvement at the end of the year, consumer confidence is still nearly 30% lower than in December 2024, as economic conditions remain a primary concern for consumers,” said Joanne Hsu, head of the survey. The current conditions index fell to a historic low of 50.4, while the expectations index rose to a four-month high. Consumers’ views on the current state of major purchases deteriorated to a historic low.