NMMA - National Marine Manufacturers Association Inc.
09/30/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/30/2026 07:32
Consumer Confidence Declines in September Amid Rising Cost Concerns
Consumer confidence declined sharply in September, according to The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, as Americans grew more cautious about current conditions and the months ahead. The index fell 6.7 points to 81.9, while the Present Situation Index dropped 7.9 points to 109.3. The Expectations Index declined 5.9 points to 63.6, its third consecutive monthly decrease, remaining below the 80 threshold.
Consumers' assessments of current business conditions turned negative for the first time since September 2024. Views of household finances also turned negative, suggesting concerns extend beyond national headlines to consumers' own budgets.
Labor market perceptions softened. The share of consumers describing jobs as "plentiful" fell to 23.6%, while 21.9% said jobs were "hard to get." The gap narrowed to 1.7 percentage points, remaining positive but signaling greater caution about employment.
Prices remain a source of pressure. Average inflation expectations for the next year rose to 6.1%, and 68.4% of consumers expected higher interest rates. Rising costs for essentials could leave households with less flexibility for discretionary purchases.
Higher-income households remained relatively optimistic, although confidence among those earning $125,000 to $149,000 recorded the largest six-month decline of any income group. Vacation plans offered a limited bright spot, rising to 42.6%, even as auto and home purchase intentions eased.
For recreational boating, the Conference Board's latest results may indicate slower discretionary spending and longer purchase decisions. Relief from energy costs and broader inflation pressures could help stabilize demand.
NMMA will continue tracking consumer sentiment and its impact on the industry. Members are encouraged to leverage tools such as the Monthly Industry Data Summary and Marine Leadership Barometer to support planning and navigate evolving market dynamics.
For more economic updates and data-driven insights, visit nmma.org/statistics or contact the NMMA Business Intelligence team at [email protected].
This analysis was prepared by NMMA and Dr. Shawn DuBravac on behalf of NMMA.
NMMA - National Marine Manufacturers Association Inc. published this content on September 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 30, 2026 at 13:32 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]