Consumer confidence falls in November

Consumer confidence index drops to 109.5 in November from 111.6 

Consumer confidence fell in November to the lowest level in nine months because of worries about high inflation — and optimism could dip again if a new strain of the coronavirus that’s more resistant to vaccines keeps spreading.

The index of consumer confidence dropped to 109.5 from 111.6 in October, the privately run Conference Board said Tuesday. It was the fourth decline in the past five months.

Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had forecast the index to fall to 110.

Americans were already worried about the biggest surge in U.S. inflation in 10 years. Now the new omicron strain of the coronavirus is raising fresh angst.

So far neither rising prices nor the virus has kept people from spending, however. Stronger spending has given a lift to the economy. A tight labor market in which jobs are easy to find has also partly eased the worries of consumers.