US consumer confidence is declining: The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index fell -0.8 points in August, to 89.4, its lowest since January. This also marks its 2nd-lowest level since April 2025. This comes as the Expectations Index dropped -5.8 points, to 68.2, its lowest since January. The decline reflects growing pessimism about future job and income prospects, as well as less optimism about future business conditions. This report also highlights elevated gasoline prices, broader cost-of-living pressures, and a slowdown in hiring as key factors weighing on American households this month. Meanwhile, the Present Situation Index rose +6.8 points, to 121.2, its highest since May, after 3 consecutive monthly declines, somewhat offsetting the overall decline in the Consumer Confidence Index. Americans are worried about the economy.(The Kobeissi Letter)