Shotlist Los Angeles, USA - Recent 1. Various of tourists, amusement facilities, stores 2. Various of restaurant exterior 3. Diners at outdoor restaurant FILE: New York City, USA - November 2022 4. Various of customers dining, chatting, ordering in restaurant 5. Customers paying bill 6. Cashier counting money FILE: Miami, Florida, USA - 2025 7. Consumers in supermarket FILE: New York City, USA - Date Unknown 8. Various of shoppers, commodities in supermarket 9. Various of consumers at cashiers FILE: Los Angeles, USA - May 8, 2025 10. Various of toys for sale in retail store Storyline The U.S. Consumer Confidence Index fell to 89.1 in December, down from November's revised 92.9, The Conference Board said Tuesday. The figure is also lower than market expectations of 91.9, showing that U.S. consumers are more pessimistic about current business and labor conditions amid continued economic uncertainty as the year closes. The Present Situation Index, based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions, plunged 9.5 points to 116.8 in December. The Expectations Index, based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions, held steady at 70.7, remaining below the recession threshold of 80. Consumers' assessments of current business conditions turned mildly pessimistic in December, with 18.7 percent of consumers saying business conditions were "good," down from 21 percent in November, and 19.1 percent saying business conditions were "bad," up from 15.8 percent. Consumers' views of the labor market were also weaker in December, as 26.7 percent of consumers said jobs were "plentiful," down from 28.2 percent in November, and 20.8 percent said jobs were "hard to get," up from 20.1 percent. Looking ahead, consumers' outlook for income prospects was slightly less positive in December, as 18.4 percent of consumers expected their incomes to increase, up from 17.6 percent in November, while 14.7 percent expected their incomes to decrease, up from 12.5 percent. "Consumers' write-in responses on factors affecting the economy continued to be led by references to prices and inflation, tariffs and trade, and politics. However, December saw increases in mentions of immigration, war, and topics related to personal finances -- including interest rates, taxes and income, banks, and insurance, according to Dana Peterson, chief economist of The Conference Board [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]