Why is US consumer confidence at a record low?
From World Business Report by BBC World Service
May 8, 2026 · 26 min
About this episode
The episode explores the paradox of rising job numbers and stock market highs alongside record low consumer confidence in the US.
US job numbers are rising and the stock market is booming near record highs. So why are consumers feeling so pessimistic about the economy? As a Mexican trade mission visits Canada, the two countries look to deepen economic ties. Also Instagram’s direct messages are no longer fully private, and gamers face higher prices as console costs climb. [Picture: Customers shop for groceries at a Publix supermarket in Miami, Florida, USA. Photo Credit: CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Topics covered
- US consumer confidence
- economic ties
- Instagram privacy
- gaming prices
- job market
- stock market
Keywords
- consumer confidence
- US economy
- job numbers
- stock market
- Mexico Canada trade
- gaming prices
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Instagram
Places: US, Mexico, Canada, Miami, Florida, USA
More episodes of World Business Report
- SpaceX Begins Trading in Landmark $1.8 Trillion Listing · June 12, 2026 · 9 min
- It's official: 2026 is an El Niño year · June 11, 2026 · 26 min
- SpaceX Prepares for a Historic Market Launch · June 11, 2026 · 11 min
- US inflation hits three-year high · June 10, 2026 · 26 min
- US Inflation Hits Three-Year High as Energy Prices Surge · June 10, 2026 · 10 min
- UK watchdog investigates mega takeover with Paramount and Warner Bros · June 9, 2026 · 26 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the World Business Report podcast page.