US consumer sentiment fell to a four-month low in September, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers, with the index reading 48.1. The Hill reported this marked a 7 percent decrease from August and a 15 percent decline compared with the same period a year earlier.
Outlets across the spectrum linked the decline to concerns about inflation. NBC News reported that gas prices, mortgage rates and inflation pushed Americans' view of the economy to near record lows, while Bloomberg and The Daily Caller similarly pointed to worries about prices and surging inflation expectations.
The Epoch Times described sentiment as remaining near historically weak levels. Breitbart reported that surging fuel prices were fueling inflation fears, and, according to Breitbart, the outlook was dimmed for both Republicans and Democrats amid the approaching midterm elections.
Center outlets including Reuters and The Wall Street Journal confirmed the four-month-low reading without additional context on political implications, framing the decline primarily as a data-driven economic development.
How each side covered it
Left
- NBC News highlighted gas prices, mortgage rates and inflation pushing Americans' economic outlook to near record lows.
- Bloomberg emphasized consumer worries about both rising prices and broader economic conditions driving the sentiment decline.
“Gas, mortgage rates and inflation send Americans' view of the economy to near record lows” — NBC News
Center
- Reuters and The Hill reported consumer sentiment eased to a four-month low, citing the University of Michigan survey's 48.1 reading.
- The Hill noted the index fell 7 percent from August and 15 percent year-over-year amid mounting cost-of-living concerns.
- The Wall Street Journal framed the decline as a modest downward tick in September sentiment.
“Consumer confidence dips in September amid inflation concerns” — The Hill
Right
- The Epoch Times described consumer sentiment as remaining near historically weak levels despite the survey findings.
- The Daily Caller emphasized surging inflation expectations and deteriorating views of future economic conditions.
- Breitbart linked falling sentiment to surging fuel prices and noted looming midterm elections dimming outlooks for both parties.
- Newsmax reported the sentiment slip as directly tied to ongoing inflation worries among consumers.
“Consumer Sentiment Falls Amid Rising Inflation Worries and Looming Midterms” — Breitbart
Questions readers ask
What happened to US consumer sentiment in September?
The University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers index fell to 48.1 in September, a four-month low, reflecting growing pessimism among Americans about inflation and the broader economy.
Why did consumer sentiment decline?
Outlets across the spectrum attributed the decline to concerns about inflation, rising gas prices and mortgage rates. Breitbart also linked the decline to the approaching midterm elections.
How much did the index fall compared to previous months?
According to The Hill, the September reading was 7 percent lower than August and 15 percent lower than the same period a year earlier.
Did left-, center- and right-leaning outlets frame this differently?
Left-leaning outlets emphasized specific cost pressures like gas and mortgage rates; center outlets focused on the numerical decline and survey data; right-leaning outlets highlighted inflation fears and, in Breitbart's case, the midterm elections.
Sources · 9 outlet reports
- BloombergLeft-leaningUS Consumer Sentiment Falls on Worries About Prices, Economy
- NBC NewsLeft-leaningGas, mortgage rates and inflation send Americans’ view of the economy to near record lows
- ReutersCenterUS consumer sentiment eases to four-month low in September
- The HillCenterConsumer confidence dips in September amid inflation concerns
- The Wall Street JournalCenterConsumer Sentiment Ticked Lower in September
- BreitbartRight-leaningConsumer Sentiment Falls Amid Rising Inflation Worries and Looming Midterms
- NewsmaxRight-leaningConsumer Sentiment Slips Amid Inflation Worries
- The Daily CallerRight-leaningInflation Fears Surge As Economic Expectations Plunge
- The Epoch TimesRight-leaningUS Consumer Sentiment Remains Near Historically Weak Lows: UMich