Consumer Confidence Falls to Seven-Month Low as Inflation Stays Elevated

The Conference Board's consumer confidence index dropped to 89.4 in August 2026 — a seven-month low and fourth straight monthly decline. PCE inflation (the Fed's preferred price gauge) eased to 3.7% year-over-year in June from May's 4.1% war-driven peak, yet remains well above the 2.5% level when Trump took office. July PCE data, due August 27, may reveal whether the cooling trend holds.