U‑Michigan Consumer Sentiment Plummets to 44.8, a 75‑Year Low
The University of Michigan’s May 2026 Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 44.8, the lowest reading since the survey began in 1952—a 75‑year record low. The decline signals rising consumer anxiety over inflation, fuel costs, and cost‑of‑living pressures, especially among lower‑income and less‑educated households.