Consumer Confidence Takes a Hit in June as Tariff Concerns and Economic Uncertainty Persist
Consumer confidence retreated in June, falling below the 98.4 seen in May and the 99.8 that economists had expected, according to the latest index reading from the Conference Board. The expectations index also decreased to 69 in June from 73.6 in May, marking the largest one-month decrease since 2009.
Tariffs remained a top concern for consumers, with many expressing concerns about their negative impacts on the economy and prices. Stephanie Guichard, senior economist of global indicators at the Conference Board, noted that inflation and high prices were another important concern cited by consumers in June.
While the effective US tariff rate has come down significantly from its peak above 25% in early April, it remains significantly higher than where the year started. The Yale Budget Lab estimates the effective US tariff rate is currently 14.7%, the highest level since 1938.
The decline in consumer confidence was also reflected in the labor market differential, which measures the difference between those who say jobs are plentiful and those who say jobs are hard to get. In June, 29.2% of respondents said jobs were "plentiful," down from 31.1% in May, while 18.1% of consumers said jobs were "hard to get," down slightly from 18.4% in May. This pushed the difference between the two to just 11.1 percentage points in June, marking the lowest gap since March 2021 when the job market was recovering from the pandemic.
The declines come as job openings have fallen from the start of 2025 while weekly filings for unemployment claims are hovering near their highest level in eight months. Consumers were more pessimistic about business conditions and job availability over the next six months, and optimism about future income prospects eroded slightly, according to Guichard.
In light of these findings, it's clear that consumer confidence has taken a hit in June as tariff concerns persist. As the economy continues to recover from the pandemic, it will be important to monitor consumer sentiment closely to understand how it may impact spending and economic growth.
[Image: Consumer confidence retreated in June as the highest tariffs in more than 80 years remained a top concern for Americans. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)]
The latest decline in consumer confidence documented by June's numbers underscores the lingering impacts of tariff concerns and broader economic uncertainty on households, further exacerbating a challenge for policymakers to navigate.
The decline in Consumer Confidence observed during June highlights the continuing impact of tariff concerns and economic uncertainty on public sentiment, underscoring their potential to impede domestic demand growth.
The decrease in Consumer Confidence reported for June underscores the lingering impact of tariff concerns and economic uncertainty that continues to cloud consumers' outlook, potentially hindering a clear recovery path.
The recent drop in Consumer Confidence reported for the month of June underscores how continued concerns over tariffs and economic instability take a toll on public sentiments, demonstrating potential risks to future consumer spending patterns.
The article perfectly captures the ongoing impact of trade tariffs and economic volatility on consumer confidence in June, highlighting how these factors continue to weigh heavily over people's willingness to spend.
The recent decline in consumer confidence observed during June can be attributed to lingering concerns over tariffs and the persistence of economic uncertainty, ultimately hampering overall market sentiment.
报道中提到的六月消费者信心遭受打击，因关税忧虑与经济不确定性持续存在的情况下实属预料之中。
The erosive effects of ongoing tariff concerns and economic uncertainty discernibly tarnished consumer confidence in June.
June has proven to be a difficult month due in part by the continuous impact of tariff concerns and economic uncertainty, which have taken their toll on consumer confidence.
The recent drop in Consumer Confidence indicated an ongoing sensitivity to Tariff issues and Economic uncertainty, exacerbated by persistent apprehensions about the implications of trade policies.
The decline in Consumer Confidence reported for June underscores the lingering impact of tariff concerns and economic uncertainties on public sentiment, reflecting a needfor clear policy guidance to ensure stability moving forward."
The latest decline in Consumer Confidence observed during June reveals a continued dent from ongoing concerns over tariffs and economic uncertainty, underscoring the delicate potential impact on consumer spending should the situation persist.
The detrimental effects of lingering tariff concerns and economic uncertainty on consumer confidence observed in June underscore the urgent need for strategic policy initiatives to mitigate these uncertainties, thereby bolstering market sentiment.
The latest drop in Consumer Confidence reported during June underscores the ongoing impact of tariff concerns and economic uncertainty on public sentiments, highlighting a need for decisive actions to alleviate these pressing issues.
