Topline<\/p>\n
Views on the U.S. economy improved among Americans in December, the first boost since July despite settling near historic lows, according to a widely tracked survey released Friday by the University of Michigan. <\/p>\n
Consumers expressed a more optimistic outlook on personal finances and rising prices. <\/p>\n
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.Key Facts<\/p>\n
Consumer sentiment\u2014a monthly assessment of Americans\u2019 views on the economy\u2014rose to 53.3 in December from 51 in November, which neared the all-time low set in 2022, a reading of the University of Michigan\u2019s study found.<\/p>\n
December\u2019s reading surpassed Wall Street\u2019s estimates of 52.<\/p>\n
The measurement also remained below the historical benchmark of 100: Any value below 100 indicates growing economic pessimism among Americans, while a reading above\u2014which last occurred in 2018\u2014suggests broader optimism.<\/p>\n
Consumer sentiment last improved month-to-month in July, when the measurement jumped from a revised-up reading of 60.7 in June to 61.8.<\/p>\n
Why Did Economic Confidence Improve?<\/p>\n
Joanne Hsu, the survey\u2019s director, attributed December\u2019s boost to consumer sentiment to an optimistic outlook for personal finances and inflation. Americans now expect prices to increase by 4.1% over the next year, down from 4.5% last month and the lowest level since January, while the outlook for finances rose to the highest level since February. Hsu noted that job market expectations also improved \u201ca touch,\u201d but \u201cremained relatively dismal,\u201d and while the \u201coverall tenor of views is broadly somber,\u201d consumers are still citing the \u201cburden of high prices.\u201d Last month, Hsu said Americans continued to be \u201cfrustrated about the persistence of high prices and weakening incomes\u201d and their personal finances were \u201cweighed down\u201d by current price tags. <\/p>\n
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