<div id="readability-page-1">Historic confidence drop: The University of Michigan index fell to 44.8 in May, the lowest since records began in 1952, driven by inflation and geopolitical instability. Teen jobs at risk: Seasonal teen hiring is expected to hit an 80-year low, with leisure and hospitality sectors cutting back due to high costs. Markets defy mood: Despite consumer gloom, the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq-100 have posted double-digit gains this year, widening the Wall Street–Main Street gap.</div>

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<p>US consumer sentiment has dropped to a record low of 44.8 in May, the lowest since 1952, due to inflation and geopolitical issues. Seasonal teen job hiring is projected to reach an 80-year low as the leisure and hospitality sectors reduce hiring. Despite this consumer pessimism, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 have seen significant gains this year, highlighting a growing divide between Wall Street and Main Street.</p>

- The University of Michigan index fell to 44.8 in May, marking the lowest level since 1952 due to inflation and geopolitical instability.  
- Seasonal teen hiring is projected to reach an 80-year low as the leisure and hospitality sectors reduce hiring amid rising costs.  
- Despite negative consumer sentiment, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 have recorded double-digit gains this year, highlighting a growing divide between Wall Street and Main Street.

US consumer sentiment hits record low as teen jobs shrink