American consumers are growing more anxious about their financial futures, with new data showing rising stress, cautious spending, and concerns about looming tariffs. According to a new study by the Kearney Consumer Institute, U.S. shoppers are moving from budget-optimizing to outright sacrificing, with many unsure about what—and whether—to buy.
Kearney's Consumer Stress Index shows that 54% of U.S. consumers are now concerned about trade disputes, up from 36% in late 2024. The pressure is being felt across all income groups, but especially among middle- and upper-income Americans, who are now taking defensive financial positions.
