#USConsumerConfidence US consumer confidence took a hit in December, declining by 8.1 points to 104.7, as concerns about the future resurfaced. The Present Situation Index, which assesses current business and labor market conditions, fell by 1.2 points to 140.2. Meanwhile, the Expectations Index, which gauges consumers' short-term outlook, plummeted by 12.6 points to 81.1, just above the threshold of 80 that typically signals a recession ahead. Key Factors Contributing to the Decline: Weaker Consumer Assessments: Consumers' views on current business conditions and future expectations weakened. -Pessimism About Future Employment Prospects: Consumers became less optimistic about job prospects, with 21.3% anticipating fewer jobs. Less Optimistic Income Prospects: Only 17.2% of consumers expected their incomes to increase, down from 20.7% in November. Despite this decline, consumer confidence remains relatively stable, with the Index hovering around the middle of the range that has prevailed over the past two years.