Consumer confidence wavers amid economic uncertainty

Before the April 2 tariff announcements, the New Home Trend Institute's Household Sentiment Survey picked up a notable decline in consumer sentiment regarding their personal finances, the housing market, and the macroeconomy. Economic uncertainty is weighing heavily on consumer confidence. Just 34% of consumers are optimistic about the trajectory of the US economy over the next year, down from 39% in December 2024. Meanwhile, the share of very pessimistic consumers jumped more than +10 percentage points quarter over quarter.