WASHINGTON - U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly fell in September amid mounting worries over the health of the labor market.
"The deterioration across the index's main components likely reflected consumers' concerns about the labor market and reactions to fewer hours, slower payroll increases, fewer job openings, even if the labor market remains quite healthy, with low unemployment, few layoffs and elevated wages," said Dana Peterson, the chief economist at the Conference Board.
The Federal Reserve last week cut interest rates by 50 basis points to the 4.75%-5.00% range, the first reduction in borrowing costs since 2020, which Fed Chair Jerome Powell said was meant to demonstrate policymakers' commitment to sustaining a low unemployment rate.
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