“Consumer sentiment inched up a scant 1.9 index points from November, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. Buying conditions for durable goods fell for the fifth straight month, whereas expectations for personal finances and business conditions rose. The outlook for labor markets lifted a bit this month, though a solid majority of consumers expect unemployment to continue rising during the next year. Despite these improvements, sentiment remains nearly 30 percent below December 2024, in large part due to continued concerns about pocketbook issues, particularly the strain of high prices and the prospect of further weakening of labor markets, said U-M economist Joanne Hsu, director of the surveys,” says the University of Michigan Survey of Consumers in a statement on the ongoing failures of the Trump Regime.

“About 47 percent of consumers spontaneously mentioned that high prices are weighing down their personal finances, unchanged from November and well above the 35 percent seen a year ago. High prices as well as the impact of tariffs continue to be top issues for consumers when it comes to major purchases. Buying conditions for durable goods worsened 6 percent from November and are more than 40 percent below conditions from a year ago. For vehicles, buying conditions remain at historically low levels and are little changed from last month. For both types, consumers cited prices and tariffs as negative factors,” the release continued, making it clear this is self-inflicted.

Some egghead on CNBC said the 50.4 number for “current conditions” is indeed at an all-time low.