Consumer confidence up

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 25, 2026

Consumer confidence in September edged up by one point to minus 13, marking three consecutive months of improvement despite ongoing worries about rising household costs. While outlooks on the economy and personal finances showed gains, consumers remain cautious about making major purchases, reflecting continued uncertainty in spending behavior.

Consumer confidence showed a modest improvement in September, continuing a gradual recovery despite ongoing concerns about rising household expenses. The latest data from GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index indicated a one-point increase to minus 13, marking the first time since summer 2024 that the index has recorded three consecutive monthly gains. Nonetheless, the overall sentiment remains negative.

The most notable advances were seen in consumers’ perceptions of the broader economy and their personal financial situations over the past 12 months. The economic outlook for the previous year improved by four points to minus 36, while assessments of personal finances for the same period rose by three points to minus three.

Looking ahead, expectations for the economy over the next year increased by a point to minus 22, standing 10 points higher than in September 2025. Personal financial confidence for the upcoming year also edged up by one point, reaching a positive five.

Despite these improvements, the index measuring intentions for major purchases declined slightly, dropping one point to minus eight. This suggests that while consumers are feeling somewhat more optimistic about their financial circumstances and the economy overall, there remains hesitancy around committing to significant spending, likely influenced by concerns over household cost pressures.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.