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Economy Consumer sentiment hits fresh record low in May as Iran war fuels inflation worries
CNBC ^ | May 22, 2026 | Fred Imbert

Posted on 05/22/2026 7:25:12 AM PDT by Miami Rebel

Consumer sentiment has tumbled to a fresh record low in May as fears of higher prices grow due to the U.S.-Iran war and elevated oil prices, the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers said Friday.

The index of consumer sentiment fell to 44.8 from a preliminary reading of 48.2. It’s also well below the 49.8 level seen at the end of April.

“Consumer sentiment fell for the third straight month as supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to boost gasoline prices. Sentiment is now just below the previous historical trough seen in June 2022,” Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu said in a statement. “Critically, consumers appear worried that inflation will increase and proliferate beyond fuel prices, even in the long run.”

Indeed, inflation expectations over the year ahead rose to 4.8% from 4.7% last month. That’s well above the 3.4% reading seen in February, before the war began.

Longer-term inflation is expected to rise 3.9%, up from a 3.5% reading in April.


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: astroturf; cnbc; consumersentiment; dnctalkingpoint; dnctalkingpoints; fredimbert; inflation; iran; mediawingofthednc; panicporn; partisanmediashill; partisanmediashills; tds; tdstrolls
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1 posted on 05/22/2026 7:25:12 AM PDT by Miami Rebel
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To: Miami Rebel

You seem giddy about this.


2 posted on 05/22/2026 7:27:11 AM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: Miami Rebel

If anyone thinks inflation is bad now, wait until Iran is a nuclear power.


3 posted on 05/22/2026 7:30:03 AM PDT by Gen.Blather (Oh, gosh! I said that out loud. I'm so sorry.)
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To: dfwgator

May, 2024:

The closely watched index dropped nearly 10 points from the last reading in April to 67.4, the lowest since November.


4 posted on 05/22/2026 7:30:21 AM PDT by Miami Rebel (RE)
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To: Miami Rebel

This war is geologically damaging future oil production capacity by 20-30% across the entire Gulf region. We are drawing down our reserves too and gas prices won’t come back quickly either due to refinery capacity.

Let’s get it over with.


5 posted on 05/22/2026 7:33:11 AM PDT by Carry_Okie (The tree of liberty needs a rope.)
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To: Carry_Okie

I’m loaded with energy holdings and I couldn’t agree more.

Despite assurance from the President and various cabinet secretaries, the idea that prices will plummet when the war concludes is ludicrous.


6 posted on 05/22/2026 7:35:27 AM PDT by Miami Rebel (RE)
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To: Gen.Blather
If anyone thinks inflation is bad now, wait until Iran is a nuclear power.

For 30 years Netanyahu has been saying that Iran is on the verge of having nuclear weapons.

It was never so.

7 posted on 05/22/2026 7:40:57 AM PDT by Angelino97
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To: Gen.Blather

We live in today’s world. Iran’s been trying to get a nuclear war head forever. We bombed the hell out of them months ago and Trump said we destroyed their nuclear capabilities and then months later he’s like oops.


8 posted on 05/22/2026 7:43:20 AM PDT by napscoordinator (DeSantis is a beast! Florida is the freest state in the country! )
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To: Miami Rebel

Stop buying things that aren’t essential. Welfare losers seem to be attracted to “snacks” and “sodas”. Worry about why you choose to be a loser.


9 posted on 05/22/2026 7:44:46 AM PDT by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Camp?)
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To: Angelino97
Netanyahu has been saying that Iran is on the verge of having nuclear weapons. It was never so.

Which is why the mullahs won't let go of their uranium enriched wildly beyond what is needed to power a reactor. Right?

10 posted on 05/22/2026 7:46:24 AM PDT by Carry_Okie (The tree of liberty needs a rope.)
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To: Carry_Okie

> Let’s get it over with. <

I fear that Trump has gone “a bridge too far”. Wrecking Iran’s nuclear sites was a good idea. But how can he force them to give up all their nuclear material?

Religious fanatics won’t be moved by just bombing. So it would probably take infantry, and the related casualties. Most Americans would not stand for it.


11 posted on 05/22/2026 7:47:03 AM PDT by Leaning Right
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To: hal ogen

We’re going to Boston, Nova Scotia, Montreal, Paris, and New York this summer. I promise to stop buying sodas and snacks in the hope I can no longer be a loser.


12 posted on 05/22/2026 7:48:19 AM PDT by Miami Rebel (RE)
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To: Leaning Right

Trump assumed the Iranian people would have overthrown the Mullahs themselves.

It’s never a good strategy to assume the people will rise up.


13 posted on 05/22/2026 7:49:42 AM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: Miami Rebel

😂😂😂😂so i am to believe folks feel worse now than when inflation was 9% and still being lied to about COVID?

Its funny all the folks I see in stores, bars and restaurants dont look too scared.


14 posted on 05/22/2026 7:50:44 AM PDT by MrRelevant
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To: Leaning Right

Putting them back into stone age is a good place to start at least.


15 posted on 05/22/2026 7:51:31 AM PDT by MrRelevant
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To: Leaning Right
Wrecking Iran’s nuclear sites was a good idea. But how can he force them to give up all their nuclear material?

Regime change.

Religious fanatics won’t be moved by just bombing. So it would probably take infantry, and the related casualties.

Said infantry would have to be Iranian. Three things need to happen there:

I don't see it happening. That concerns me.
16 posted on 05/22/2026 7:53:20 AM PDT by Carry_Okie (The tree of liberty needs a rope.)
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To: MrRelevant

Take that anecdotal evidence to the bank! The GOP should be a shoo-in in November.


17 posted on 05/22/2026 7:54:13 AM PDT by Miami Rebel (RE)
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To: hal ogen

OK, Boomer

I’m sure Gen-Y and Gen-Z stuck who can barley afford a “Staycation” can’t wait for you to tell them that paying an extra $40-$50 a week in gas is no big deal as you type away from your 2nd vacation home this Memorial day weekend.


18 posted on 05/22/2026 7:55:14 AM PDT by qam1 (There's been a huge party. All plates and the bottles are empty, all that's left is the bill to pay)
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To: dfwgator

It’s never a good strategy to believe Muslims who hate us will take our side over other Muslims who hate us.


19 posted on 05/22/2026 7:56:39 AM PDT by qam1 (There's been a huge party. All plates and the bottles are empty, all that's left is the bill to pay)
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To: Miami Rebel

Why are you guys bothering?
Some of us have tried to explain how damaging this administration is and they do not care.

Wheat production is predicted to fall short by about 30% this year. Some because of drought, but the main reason is fuel and fertilizer costs.

There will be a drop in the production of corn. Same reason.

Soybeans prices are down. And dont tell me China is gonna purchase. They haven’t signed anything yet. Brazil has taken much of that market.

Go take a look at the price of meat..not just beef, but pork and poultry is going up.

In the southwest, produce will take a hit because of two factors. Lack of irtigation water and the price of fuel and fertilizers. Just understand, the Yuma Az and Imperial Valley Ca regions supply 90% of the winter produce for north America during the winter months

Look at the treasury yeilds.

And like you guys indicate, prices will not go down, especially like you say, the oil reserves are depleting.

But lets fight a war on behalf of a piss ant of a country.

But none of this matters you see? Its Trump.

Next mid terms they aint gonna like it. We will become socialist because that is who will get into office.

Cults alway fail. Often violently.


20 posted on 05/22/2026 7:57:52 AM PDT by crz
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