The U.S. Consumer Confidence Index fell to 89.1 in December, down from November's revised 92.9, The Conference Board said Tuesday.
The figure is also lower than market expectations of 91.9, showing that U.S. consumers are more pessimistic about current business and labor conditions amid continued economic uncertainty as the year closes.
The Present Situation Index, based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions, plunged 9.5 points to 116.8 in December. The Expectations Index, based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions, held steady at 70.7, remaining below the recession threshold of 80.
Consumers' assessments of current business conditions turned mildly pessimistic in December, with 18.7 percent of consumers saying business conditions were "good," down from 21 percent in November, and 19.1 percent saying business conditions were "bad," up from 15.8 percent.
Consumers' views of the labor market were also weaker in December, as 26.7 percent of consumers said jobs were "plentiful," down from 28.2 percent in November, and 20.8 percent said jobs were "hard to get," up from 20.1 percent.
Looking ahead, consumers' outlook for income prospects was slightly less positive in December, as 18.4 percent of consumers expected their incomes to increase, up from 17.6 percent in November, while 14.7 percent expected their incomes to decrease, up from 12.5 percent. "Consumers' write-in responses on factors affecting the economy continued to be led by references to prices and inflation, tariffs and trade, and politics. However, December saw increases in mentions of immigration, war, and topics related to personal finances -- including interest rates, taxes and income, banks, and insurance, according to Dana Peterson, chief economist of The Conference Board.
U.S. consumer confidence index falls to 89.1 in December
Local authorities in China's northern regions have taken swift measures to ensure public safety and maintain smooth transportation as heavy snow disrupted roads and brought plunging temperatures on Monday and Tuesday.
Moderate to heavy snow swept across the country's northeastern province of Jilin on Tuesday.
Snow began in the provincial capital Changchun around 07:00, resulting in accumulations on urban roads. The local urban administration bureau immediately activated its snow removal plan.
"A total of 15,000 sanitation workers were immediately mobilized for manual operations. And over 1,800 snow service vehicles were deployed to carry out snow removal tasks," said Li Wenxiu, deputy head of the sanitation department under the urban administration bureau of Changchun City.
Multiple expressway entrances were closed from 07:30 due to the snowfall.
A sharp temperature drop was forecast after the heavy snow, with minimum temperatures in central and western Jilin falling to between minus 18 degrees Celsius and minus 21 degrees Celsius.
In Gansu Province in northwest China, heavy snow hit 19 counties in nine prefectures as of Monday, with snow accumulated up to eight centimeters as of 08:00 on Tuesday. Temperatures in some areas dropped by four to six degrees Celsius.
Icy roads triggered temporary traffic controls on eight major expressway, while some cars were seen skidding on slippery sections.
In response to the hazardous road conditions, highway departments quickly mobilized teams to carry out snow removal operations. They prioritized high-risk areas prone to icing, including bridges, steep slopes, and sharp curves.
Meanwhile, traffic police stepped up patrols, employing lead vehicles for speed control and releasing traffic in stages on the most affected roads.
In Minle County of Zhangye City, police officers paid extra attention to school zones during student arrival and dismissal times, directing traffic and escorting students across streets.
"We mainly focus on de-icing roads, directing traffic, and escorting students, to ensure every child gets to school safely and returns home safely," said Chen Aiguo, a traffic police officer.
China's northern regions mobilize to ensure safety amid snowfall
