Stats Options, shorts and positioning Consumer sentiment

US consumer sentiment fell to 44.8, a record low since 1978

May 26 headline: 44.844.8May 26headlineCurrent conditions: 45.845.8CurrentconditionsExpect- ations: 44.144.1Expect-ationsLong run average: 83.983.9Long runaverage

Both sub indices are near the headline level, meaning consumers feel equally poor about today and about the year ahead. Source: University of Michigan via Advisor Perspectives, May 2026.

The University of Michigan asks American households how they feel about money each month. In May 2026 the index read 44.8, about half its long run average of 83.9 and the lowest since the series began in 1978. Spending held up anyway.

44.8Latest reading, May 2026
83.9Long run average
about 47%Below normal by
4.8%Year ahead inflation

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