Consumer confidence slides as Americans grow wary of high costs and sluggish job gains

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

U.S. consumer confidence fell to 88.7 in November, one of the lowest readings this year.

Inflation , weak hiring, and the government shutdown fueled growing economic pessimism.

Confidence dropped across political groups, with independents showing the steepest decline.

Retail sales slowed in September, signaling weaker economic growth ahead.

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

The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index dropped to 88.7 in November from an upwardly revised October reading of 95.5, the second-lowest reading since April, when President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs that caused the stock market to plun