The Conference Board reported that its consumer confidence index sank this month to 98.3 from 105.3 in January. That’s far below the expectations of economists, who projected a reading of 103, according to a survey by FactSet.

Consumers grew more pessimistic about the economic outlook in February as worries brewed about a slowing economy and rising inflation, the Conference Board reported Tuesday. The board’s Consumer Confidence Index slipped to 98.

Tuesday's Conference Board data on U.S. consumer confidence dealt a massive blow to sentiment and played its part in driving Wall Street to a five-week low. The report showed heightened inflation expectations fueled by President Trump's rapid-fire moves over trade and tariffs,

The president made tariffs central to his campaign. Since his inauguration, Trump has imposed an additional 10 per cent levy on imports from China, threatened 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico, planned 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminium, and unveiled “reciprocal” tariffs on many trading partners.

New evidence of falling consumer confidence was released Tuesday. The nonpartisan, not-for-profit Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index declined 7 points to 98.3 in February.

The public is getting impatient for President Donald Trump to fulfill his campaign promises to "end inflation," but it might be on its way down all on its own.

Successful investors understand these three key factors, enabling them to craft an investment strategy tailored to current global conditions.

Latest numbers — on wholesale prices — suggest inflation is running more than 50 percent above the target set by the Federal Reserve.

A post-election high in consumer confidence after the election of Donald Trump has petered out, as the public digests major upheavals in U.S. economic policies by the new White House.

Another Gallup report showed Trump’s job approval on the economy at 42%, though there were stark partisan differences in that survey. Ninety percent of Republicans in the Gallup poll approved of Trump’s handling of the economy, compared to 31% of independents and just 5% of Democrats.