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U.S. consumer confidence weakened for a fifth consecutive month in December, reflecting growing unease about business conditions, jobs and household income, according to the latest report from The Conference Board. The Consumer Confidence Index declined 3.8 points in December to 89.1, down from an upwardly revised 92.9 in November.

According to The Conference Board report, consumers’ assessment of current conditions deteriorated sharply. The Present Situation Index fell 9.5 points to 116.8, driven by more negative views of business and labor market conditions. Meanwhile, the Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business and employment, held steady at 70.7. The expectations measure has now remained below 80 for 11 consecutive months, a level that historically signals heightened recession risk.

Shawn DuBravac, NMMA’s fractional chief economist, said the report points to a consumer that is increasingly cautious but not retreating entirely.

“Confidence remains under pressure as concerns about inflation and job security persist, contributing to a more cautious consumer even as broader spending indicators remain relatively healthy,” said DuBravac. “For discretionary categories such as recreational boating, households are continuing to weigh purchasing decisions carefully.”

NMMA will continue tracking consumer sentiment and its impact on the industry. Members are encouraged to leverage tools such as the Monthly Industry Data Summary and Marine Leadership Barometer to support planning and navigate evolving market dynamics.

For more economic updates and data-driven insights, visit nmma.org/statistics or contact the NMMA Business Intelligence team at [email protected].