---
title: "US consumer sentiment hits record low as teen jobs shrink"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/287551405.md"
description: "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."
datetime: "2026-05-25T20:53:18.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/287551405.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/287551405.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/287551405.md)
---

# US consumer sentiment hits record low as teen jobs shrink

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&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 have posted double-digit gains this year, widening the Wall Street–Main Street gap.

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