UoM Consumer Sentiment Index drops as inflation fears climb

According to the University of Michigan's (UoM) Consumer Sentiment Index, American consumers are beginning to grow increasingly concerned about US President Donald Trump's approach to economic policy and international trade. Trade war fears have knocked back consumer confidence, and consumer inflation expectations have also climbed.

The Preliminary UoM Sentiment Index showed that aggregate consumer outlook contracted in January, falling to 67.8 compared to investors' median forecasts of a climb to 71.8 from December's 71.1. It's the lowest reading in the UoM's main sentiment index since July of last year, and the average US consumer may not be in as great shape or feeling as confident as Wall Street might have originally thought.

UoM Consumer Inflation Expectations also rose across the board, climbing to 3.3% over the next 5 years and jumping to 4.3% over the next 12 months as multiple rounds of tariff threats take hold of the economy at the consumer level.