US consumer sentiment ends September at 48.1 as inflation expectations rise
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US consumer sentiment finished September at 48.1, down from 51.7 in August and 55.1 a year earlier, the University of Michigan reported Friday. That is a 7.0 percent monthly fall and a 12.7 percent annual decline.
Expectations did most of the moving. That index fell 10.1 percent to 46.3, while current conditions slipped 1.9 percent to 50.9. Survey director Joanne Hsu said sentiment reached a four-month low and respondents' views of current and year-ahead personal finances weakened by about 10 percent.
Year-ahead inflation expectations rose to 4.6 percent from 4.0 percent, the highest since June. Long-run expectations increased to 3.4 percent from 3.3 percent. The survey said buying conditions for durable goods improved slightly because some respondents thought buying now could avoid higher prices later.


