The most up-to-date report came from the Conference Board, with the consumer confidence index for November dropping sharply on concerns over high prices, tariffs and a weakening job market.

The overall index fell 6.8 points in November to 88.7 The present situation index declined 4.3 points, but the forward-looking expectations index dropped 8.6 points to 63.2. That made it 10 consecutive months where that index has been below 80, considered a threshold that signals a recession ahead.

“Consumer confidence tumbled in November to its second lowest level since April after moving sideways for several months,” said Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at the business organization. “All five components of the overall index flagged or remained weak.”

“Consumers were notably more pessimistic about business conditions six months from now. Mid-2026 expectations for labor market conditions remained decidedly negative, and expectations for increased household incomes shrunk dramatically, after six months of strongly positive readings.”

“September retail sales show muted growth, with notable monthly declines in categories hard hit by tariffs: auto parts, electronics, appliances, sporting goods and instruments,” said Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union.

On Tuesday, private payroll firm ADP released its new weekly survey of the labor market showing companies shed an average of 13,500 jobs a week in a four-week period ending Nov. 8.

https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/a-mixed-bag-of-economic-reports-shows-americans-struggling-with-high-prices-weak-labor-market