Stocks Hit Record High as Consumer Confidence Sinks to Seven-Month Low

U.S. equities closed at an all-time high on August 25, 2026, as falling oil eased bond yields. The same day, the Conference Board's consumer confidence index dropped to 89.4 — its lowest in seven months — with 61.3% of consumers expecting higher interest rates and inflation expectations inching up. Households and markets are pricing opposite outcomes; one is wrong.