November 7, 2025 – On Friday, the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Preliminary Results for October 2025 was released. The following is from Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu:

Consumer sentiment fell back about 6% this November, led by a 17% drop in current personal finances and a 11% decline in year-ahead expected business conditions. With the federal government shutdown dragging on for over a month, consumers are now expressing worries about potential negative consequences for the economy. This month’s decline in sentiment was widespread throughout the population, seen across age, income, and political affiliation. One key exception: consumers with the largest tercile of stock holdings posted a notable 11% increase in sentiment, supported by continued strength in stock markets. Interviews for this release closed prior to Tuesday’s elections.

Year-ahead inflation expectations inched up from 4.6% last month to 4.7% this month and remained well below readings in May in the wake of the initial announcements of major tariff changes. Long-run inflation expectations declined from 3.9% last month to 3.6% in November. These expectations are now below the midpoint between the readings seen a year ago and the 2025 peak reading from April.





Source: University of Michigan