https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/consumer-outlook-plunges-in-september-as-inflation-outlook-worsensContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/consumer-outlook-plunges-in-september-as-inflation-outlook-worsenshttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/consumer-outlook-plunges-in-september-as-inflation-outlook-worsens#u67480Mon, 14 Sep 2026 04:27:33 +0000Consumer sentiment declined in September as rising gas prices and worsening inflation expectations pressured household budgets. Data from the Michigan Survey indicates a plunge in the consumer outlook. Higher fuel costs and trade tensions contributed to the slide, following a period that Salon.com described as brutal for consumers in August. The downturn reflects growing public concern over the cost of living and the trajectory of price increases.Why it mattersConsumer sentiment serves as a leading indicator for household spending and broader economic health. Persistent inflation expectations