Economy

Consumer Confidence Declines Sharply As All Four Sub-Indices Fall

The quarterly Ipsos/U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index in Q1 2026 is down slightly from Q4 2025

Two in five Americans (42%) indicate struggles with money management, with 23% indicating I believe my income could be sufficient if I understood how to manage it more effectively and 19% selecting my income is limited and I struggle with money management. 

More Americans (69%) now say they're buying more private-label products these days, up from 59% in August, according to the Ipsos Consumer Tracker

New Ipsos survey for Intersections of Our Lives: Majority Believe American Dream Is No Longer Accessible

Americans' summer plans for 2026 are roughly the same as they were in 2025, according to the Ipsos Consumer Tracker, but that may change if higher gas prices continue to linger.

Almost all Americans (84%) think gas prices will get worse in the next few weeks, according to new polling from the Ipsos Consumer Tracker — and that’s affecting a number of things we do as consumers.

Consumer Confidence Down Slightly As Current and Investment Sub-Indices Both Decline

Hear more about how Influentials and Company Leaders view 2026 – their concerns, hopes, and strategies for success for themselves, their families, and their companies.