TechFlow, August 26 — According to Jinshi Data, U.S. consumer confidence dipped slightly in August as concerns over the job outlook intensified. Data released on Tuesday showed the Conference Board’s consumer confidence index fell to 97.4 in August. The component measuring expectations for the next six months declined, while the present situation index dropped to its lowest level since April.
Consumer confidence remains well below pre-pandemic levels, with recent labor market softness amplifying economic worries triggered by Trump's tariff policies. Employment growth and wage gains have slowed notably, and the difficulty for unemployed individuals to find work continues to rise.
The share of consumers saying jobs are “hard to get” rose for a second consecutive month, reaching the highest level since 2021; the proportion saying jobs are “plentiful” remained largely unchanged. The spread between these two indicators—an important gauge of labor market health used by economists—narrowed slightly, continuing the steady downward trend seen over the past three years.
