Economy December 4, 2025 Economic Confidence Slips; Holiday Spending Plans Plummet
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. consumers expressed increased concern about the economy and jobs in November during a period that encompassed the final stretch of the nation’s longest federal government shutdown, significant stock market volatility and uncertainty about the nation’s labor market. Consumers also reported a sharply lower holiday spending estimate than they had forecast in October.
Economic Confidence Drops to 17-Month Low
Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index (ECI) fell seven points to -30 in November, the lowest since a -35 reading in July 2024. The decline reflects slightly worsening views on both components of the index: Americans’ ratings of current economic conditions (as excellent, good, only fair or poor) and their perceptions of whether the economy is getting better or getting worse.
Twenty-one percent of U.S. adults in November, down slightly from 24% in October and the lowest percentage since March, described current economic conditions as excellent or good. By contrast, 40% now rate current conditions as poor, compared with 37% in October.
Fewer than three in 10 adults in the latest poll, 27%, said the economy is getting better, four percentage points below the October reading and the lowest since July 2024. About two-thirds (68%) said the economy is getting worse.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/699311/economic-confidence-slips-holiday-spending-plans-plummet.aspx
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