The U.S. consumer sentiment in August fell about 6 percent from July and about 11 percent from a year ago as inflation concerns persisted, a survey showed Friday.
The Index of Consumer Sentiment released by the University of Michigan (UM) Surveys of Consumers slipped to 51.7 in the August 2026 survey, down from 55.2 in July and below last August's 58.2.
The Current Economic Conditions Index fell to 51.9, down from 54.8 in July and below last August's 61.7. The Index of Consumer Expectations dropped to 51.5, down from 55.4 in July and below last August's 55.9.
The survey found that groups who are typically less equipped to absorb increases in the cost of living also exhibited stronger decreases in sentiment, including older consumers, lower- and middle-income consumers, and those with no stock holdings.
Though year-ahead inflation expectations slipped from 4.2 percent in July to 4.0 percent, it still substantially exceeds 3.4 percent seen in February before the Iran war began. Long-run inflation expectations held steady at 3.3 percent for the third consecutive month, remaining higher than its 2024 range of 2.8-3.2 percent.
Survey findings indicate that consumers foresee continued increases in gasoline prices over both the near and long term, owing to persistent policy uncertainty and the conflict in the Middle East, while simultaneously voicing mounting anxiety over a potential slowdown in other areas of the economy.
U.S. consumer sentiment slips as inflation concerns persist
The challenges facing rescuers in clearing the last kilometer of roads to the mudslide-hit southwest China’s border port of Gyirong are ensuring the safety of rescue personnel and overcoming natural obstacles, said a member of the rescue team.
A mudslide that originated on Nepal's side of the China-Nepal border struck Gyirong in China's Xizang Autonomous Region on Wednesday.
A key task for the rescuers is to repair damaged roads that have been almost completely destroyed by the mudslides. This will allow heavy machinery and more rescuers better access to affected areas.
Jiang Wanqiang, a member of the Xigaze Detachment of the People's Armed Police, talked about the main challenges the team faced during key operations.
"We need to find ways to quickly clear the last kilometer that leads us to the core rescue area in Gyirong Town. The biggest challenge is ensuring the safety of our personnel during rescue operations. We currently face risks such as barrier lakes, dam breaches, mountain collapses, and avalanches, which could trigger further upstream landslides. This poses the greatest threat to our own safety," he said.
"Secondly, significant challenges exist for us to open up the rescue route. The final kilometer consists almost entirely of steep cliffs and rivers, with no existing road infrastructure. Clearing this section is extremely difficult. In the next phase, we may deploy some machinery—engineers and a large number of construction vehicles—which could help ensure the successful establishment of the final kilometer of the rescue road," Jiang said.
The troops moved to a site about two kilometers from Gyirong Port on Friday to carry out search-and-rescue and mud-clearing operations. Persistent overnight rain and the risk of secondary disasters, including further mudslides, mean the area is not safe for camping. The troops returned to Gyirong Town last night to rest, before setting out again for the rescue site at 08:00.
Equipped with life-detection devices, shovels and pickaxes, the troops conducted a systematic search for survivors on Saturday. They also cleared mud and rocks, and leveled the road surface to open up access routes.
Safety concerns, natural barriers pose new challenges to rescuers in Xizang's Gyirong Port
