5/22/2026
The Most Pessimistic American Consumer Sentiment in 74 Years Just Sent the Market a Warning
The University of Michigan released its final May Consumer Sentiment reading Friday morning and the number landed well below even the most pessimistic forecasts. The index came in at 44.8 — a new all-time record low in a survey that has been tracking American consumer attitudes since 1952. The reading missed the consensus estimate of 48.2 by a wide margin, fell five full points from April’s already-depressed 49.8, and marked the third consecutive month of decline. No monthly reading in the survey’s 74-year history has ever been lower.
0
3 min read