ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Enmaeya News) — According to research from Michigan University, American consumer confidence declined by another 11% this month, with decreases consistent across all categories, including age, education, income, wealth, political affiliations, and geographic locations. Confidence has fallen for three months in a row and is now 22% lower than in December 2024.

While current economic conditions are largely stable, future expectations have deteriorated in several sectors, including personal finances, job markets, inflation, corporate conditions, and the stock market. Many consumers cited the high level of uncertainty around policy and other economic considerations. Frequent shifts in economic policies make it extremely difficult for consumers to plan for the future, regardless of their policy preferences.

Year-ahead inflation forecasts rose from 4.3% last month to 4.9% this month, marking the highest level since November 2022. This signifies three successive months of remarkably substantial rises of 0.5 percentage points or greater. This month's increase occurred among all three political affiliations.

Long-term inflation projections rose from 3.5% in February to 3.9% in March. This represents the most substantial month-over-month increase since 1993, propelled by a notable rise among Independents, and it comes after a considerable increase in February.