Part 3/15:
The Conference Board's October consumer expectations survey further confirms this bleak outlook. Its future expectations index has fallen sharply, dipping below its own recession threshold and signaling a grim outlook for jobs and economic growth. Consumers are increasingly pessimistic about income, business conditions, and labor prospects, despite stock markets maintaining gains.
Similarly, the University of Michigan's recent consumer sentiment data echoes these concerns. Its expectations index now stands at just over 50—near the lows seen during previous recessions—highlighting widespread anxiety about future economic conditions. Americans no longer view stocks as reliable signs of broader economic health; instead, they see a slowing economy with diminishing employment prospects.