Consumer Sentiment Near Record Low 11/17/25

Summary

Podcast Summary: Your Money Minute — "Consumer Sentiment Near Record Low" (11/17/25)

Host: Jessica Ettinger, CNBC
Guest Contributor: Rick Santelli, CNBC
Airdate: November 17, 2025

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Episode Overview

This Your Money Minute episode focuses on the concerning decline in consumer sentiment as revealed by the latest University of Michigan data. Jessica Ettinger and Rick Santelli discuss the impacts of record-low confidence on American households, noting the pressures of inflation, a weakening job market, and increasing costs. The segment is fast-paced, underlining the urgency and depth of Americans' financial unease as the year draws to a close.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Consumer Sentiment Hits Historic Lows

• The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index is "near its lowest since disco was all the rage" (Jessica Ettinger, 00:04).
• Headline number: 50.3, which is "very light" and "would be the weakest since, well, the all-time low" (Rick Santelli, 00:12).
• Current conditions index at 52.3 (Jessica Ettinger, 00:19).
  • Santelli underscores how unprecedented these numbers are:

  "Another huge miss you’re now going back to. Once again, I don’t have a number this low, and I go back to..." (Rick Santelli, 00:23).

2. Persistent Inflation and Budget Pressure

• Inflation "steadily rising since April" is "relentlessly squeezing" consumers’ budgets (Jessica Ettinger, 00:30).
• Lower-income households are particularly affected, feeling more acute anxiety about making ends meet.

3. Weakening Job Market

• Employment worries are compounding the squeeze from inflation, making consumers even less optimistic about their near-term economic prospects.

4. Concerns Over Wage Growth vs. Rising Costs

• Americans express skepticism that "modest raises from employers will not keep up with new increased costs for health care and other things in the new year" (Jessica Ettinger, 00:43).

5. Suggested Resources

• Ettinger points listeners to practical advice on side hustles and spending strategies:

  "Tips on side hustles and how to spend smart at cnbc.com" (Jessica Ettinger, 01:01).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the depth of current sentiment lows:

  "The index is near its lowest since disco was all the rage."
  — Jessica Ettinger (00:04)

• On historical comparison of numbers:

  "Another huge miss you’re now going back to. Once again, I don’t have a number this low, and I go back to..."
  — Rick Santelli (00:23)

• On real-world impacts:

  "Americans say they're also worried that modest raises from employers will not keep up with new increased costs for health care and other things in the new year."
  — Jessica Ettinger (00:43)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00-00:12 — Introduction and headline data
• 00:12-00:30 — Santelli’s analysis and historical comparison
• 00:30-01:01 — Factors driving low sentiment: inflation, jobs, wage concerns
• 01:01-01:05 — Resources for financial tips

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Tone & Style

The tone is urgent yet accessible, matching the fast-paced and concise format of the “Your Money Minute” series. Jessica Ettinger’s language is punchy and relatable, connecting historic lows to memorable eras ("since disco was all the rage") and focusing on practical impacts ("budgets relentlessly squeezed").

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In summary:
This brief yet impactful episode captures the anxiety many Americans are feeling as economic headwinds—rising inflation, a weakening job market, and lagging wage growth—drive consumer sentiment to record lows. CNBC’s experts provide context, historical comparisons, and point listeners toward actionable resources.

Transcript

[A]

With a CNBC YOUR Money minute. I'm Jessica Edinger. Consumers are feeling pretty crummy in the new University of Michigan data. The index is near its lowest since disco was all the rage.

[B]

Headline number 50.3, very light, would be the weakest since, well, the all time low.

[A]

That's CNBC's Rick Santelli, 52.3 on current conditions.

[B]

Another huge miss you're now going back to. Once again, I don't have a number this low, and I go back to.

[A]

The late 70s, the 1970s. US consumers aren't happy. With inflation steadily rising since April, they're feeling their budgets relentlessly squeezed. A weakening job market isn't helping either, and concerns are especially sharp for those in lower income brackets. Americans say they're also worried that modest raises from employers will not keep up with new increased costs for health care and other things in the new year. Tips on side hustles and how to spend [e-mail] I'm Jessica Ettinger, CNBC introducing.

[C]

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