U.S. consumer confidence rose to 91.7 in October 2026, up from a revised 84.2 in September, according to the Conference Board, significantly exceeding economists’ expectations of 81.0, Reuters reports. The improvement was partly attributed to easing gasoline prices, which provided some relief to households.
Despite the rebound, consumers remained concerned about the rising cost of living. Survey responses increasingly referenced high prices for food, groceries, oil, and diesel, highlighting persistent inflation-related pressures on household budgets. The findings suggest that while lower fuel costs helped improve sentiment, broader affordability concerns continued to weigh on consumer confidence.
