Consumer confidence dips as job market concerns grow

In the United States, consumer confidence saw a modest decline in August 2025, falling to a level of 97.4, according to the Conference Board. This marked the eighth consecutive month of declining confidence, primarily influenced by increasing anxiety over the job market. The consumer confidence index edged down 1.3 points from July's reading of 98.7, remaining within a tight range observed over the past few months. Among the indicators, Americans' short-term expectations for income, business conditions, and job prospects notably decreased, dropping to 74.8, significantly below the 80-point threshold often associated with a potential recession. Simultaneously, public sentiment regarding President Donald Trump's overall job performance and the economy remained unchanged in August. Gallup reported that Trump's approval rating stood at 40%, with his economic approval particularly low at just 37%. This represents a sharp decline of 15 points from his historical average of 52% on economic performance recorded between 2017 and 2020. The partisan divide was stark, with an overwhelming 93% of Republicans approving of Trump’s performance contrasted with a mere 1% of Democrats. Economic worries hovered over the country, evidenced by Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index, which registered at -20, reflecting a negative sentiment towards current economic conditions and perceptions about the economy's future trajectory. This figure, while an improvement from -26 in October and -22 in April 2025, still reflects growing concerns about economic stability. Interestingly, Americans' assessments of current economic situations slightly declined as well, suggesting a general unease regarding economic prospects. The contrast in satisfaction levels between partisan groups has reached a peak, with a vast majority of Republicans expressing satisfaction with the country’s direction, while the sentiment among Democrats was considerably low, echoing the sentiments observed during previous economic downturns. This partisan disparity in confidence illustrates the increasing division among demographics regarding perceptions of economic health, job security, and overall national direction.