American Consumer Confidence Cracks as the War Cycle Intensifies Consumer sentiment has fallen to the lowest level ever recorded since the University of Michigan began tracking the data in 1952. The index declined to 44.8 in May as Americans increasingly fear inflation, rising fuel costs, and economic instability tied directly to the expanding conflict with Iran. https://www.theburningplatform.com/2026/05/26/american-consumer-confidence-cracks-as-the-war-cycle-intensifies/