The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index declined sharply in September, according to multiple outlets. Bloomberg and The Washington Times reported the index fell to its lowest level since 2014.
CNBC reported the index tumbled to 81.9, a decline of 6.7 points, well below a forecast of 89. CNBC attributed the slide to escalating fears over rising prices and jobs.
RTÉ News described the reading as a four-month low, differing from the 2014-low figure cited by Bloomberg and The Washington Times.
The Washington Times, citing the Conference Board survey, said Americans' confidence in the economy sank amid elevated prices and stagnant wages, and linked the decline to the ongoing Iran war, a claim not reported by other outlets.
How each side covered it
Left
- Bloomberg reported consumer confidence plunged to its lowest level since 2014.
“US Consumer Confidence Plunges to Lowest Level Since 2014” — Bloomberg
Center
- CNBC reported the index fell to 81.9, a 6.7-point decline, below a forecast of 89.
- CNBC attributed the decline to fears over rising prices and jobs.
- The Wall Street Journal reported consumer confidence fell sharply in September, per the Conference Board.
- RTÉ News described the reading as a four-month low in consumer sentiment.
“Consumer optimism slides sharply as fears escalate over rising prices and jobs” — CNBC
Right
- The Washington Times reported confidence sank to its lowest level since 2014.
- The Washington Times linked the decline to elevated prices and stagnant wages.
- The Washington Times cited the ongoing Iran war as a contributing factor, a claim not reported by other outlets.
“Americans' view of the economy sinks to the lowest level since 2014, Conference Board survey says” — The Washington Times
Questions readers ask
What happened to US consumer confidence in September?
The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index fell sharply in September. Bloomberg and The Washington Times reported it dropped to its lowest level since 2014, while CNBC put the reading at 81.9, a 6.7-point decline.
Why did consumer confidence decline?
CNBC attributed the drop to escalating fears over rising prices and jobs. The Washington Times, citing the Conference Board survey, pointed to elevated prices, stagnant wages and the ongoing Iran war, a link not reported elsewhere.
Do sources agree on how low confidence fell?
Not entirely. Bloomberg and The Washington Times said confidence hit its lowest level since 2014, while RTÉ News described it only as a four-month low.
What did left- and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Bloomberg, a left-leaning outlet, emphasized the multi-year low in confidence. The Washington Times, a right-leaning outlet, emphasized elevated prices, stagnant wages and linked the decline to the Iran war.
Sources · 6 outlet reports
- BloombergLeft-leaningUS Consumer Confidence Plunges to Lowest Level Since 2014
- CNBCCenterConsumer optimism slides to lowest since 2014 as fears escalate over rising prices and jobs
- RTÉ NewsCenterConsumer sentiment at four-month low
- The Wall Street JournalCenterU.S. Consumer Confidence Fell Sharply in September, Conference Board Says
- NewsmaxRight-leaningConfidence in Economy at Lowest Level Since 2014
- The Washington TimesRight-leaningAmericans' view of the economy sinks to the lowest level since 2014, Conference Board survey says