Author: William Edwards

U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly fell for a fourth straight month as sentiment about current labor-market conditions eased, posing a challenge to retailers heading into the all-important holiday-shopping season.

U.S. consumer comfort fell to the lowest level since March as ratings of the economy, personal finances and the buying climate all slumped, a potential sign of faltering in the strong support consumers are giving the expansion.

U.S. consumer comfort improved slightly last week as more upbeat assessments of the economy and buying climate were tempered by the weakest reading on personal finances in almost two months.

U.S. small-business sentiment fell to near the lowest level of Donald Trump’s presidency, as tariffs and economic uncertainty increasingly weigh on the outlook for owners across the country.

U.S. consumer confidence posted the biggest drop since the start of the year as Americans’ expectations for the economy and the job market deteriorated, posing a risk to the household spending that is underpinning growth.

Optimism among U.S. small-business owners fell in August to the lowest level in five months, with the outlook for the economy and sales slumping amid escalating trade tensions and recession fears.