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Initial claims decreased by 6,000 to 216,000 in the week ended Nov. 22. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for 225,000 applications.

U.S. consumers were much less confident in the economy in November in the aftermath of the government shutdown, weak hiring and stubborn inflation.

The Conference Board’s gauge decreased 1 point to 94.6, the lowest since April, data out Oct. 28 showed. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for a reading of 93.4.

A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business conditions and the job market fell 1.2 points to 74.8, remaining below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead.

The responses to a Federal Reserve Bank of New York survey came as President Donald Trump struck a deal that significantly — though temporarily — lowered tariffs on imports from China.

U.S. consumer confidence continued its sharp 2025 decline as Americans’ views about their financial futures slumped to a 12-year low, driven by rising anxiety over tariffs and inflation.

A gauge of present conditions increased to an eight-month high. The group’s measure of expectations for the next six months edged to an almost three-year high.

Consumer confidence fell in May as Americans became more pessimistic about the labor market, on top of elevated anxiety over inflation.

WASHINGTON — Consumer confidence inched up in March after two straight monthly declines, even as persistent inflation and anxiety over a possible recession weighed on American households.

WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer confidence slid again in July as higher prices for food, gas and just about everything else continued to weigh on Americans.