ECONOMY08/20/26

Consumer Sentiment August Drop

University of Michigan consumer sentiment fell sharply in August's preliminary reading.

HOW COVERAGE DIFFERSCOVERAGE SPLIT

DIFFERENT FOCUS

Marketplace emphasized Consumer Spending Slowdown; Washington Examiner Business emphasized Iran War Uncertainty Impact.

LEFT FOCUS

▸Marketplace highlighted consumers potentially cutting discretionary spending as a result of the sentiment drop. — Marketplace

RIGHT FOCUS

▸Washington Examiner reported sentiment fell to 51, down from 55.2 in July — nearly an 8% monthly decline. — Washington Examiner Business
▸Washington Examiner reported that Republicans posted the biggest monthly decline, down 19% since the Iran conflict began. — Washington Examiner Business
▸Survey director Joanne Hsu said only 8% of consumers expect income growth to exceed inflation, down from 18% in December 2024. — Washington Examiner Business

September CPI Hits 3.7%

September consumer prices rose 0.6% monthly and 3.7% annually, the fastest pace in five months.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Oct 14: Economists expect September consumer prices to rise 0.6% monthly and 3.6% year-over-year, driven by energy costs.

Thursday: September CPI confirmed at 3.7% annually, up from 3.6% prior

Left: Rising prices squeeze everyday Americans hardest.

Right: Inflation surge spells trouble for Trump, GOP.

Inflation rose to 3.7% in September, the last CPI report before midterm elections.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Oct 14: Economists expect September consumer prices to rise 0.6% monthly and 3.6% year-over-year, driven by energy costs.

Sunday: September CPI report confirms 3.7% annual inflation rate

Left: Prices hit everyday Americans on essentials.

Right: Rising prices spell trouble for Trump's party.

Treasury Department fined Bank of America over $1.2 billion for sanctions and anti-money laundering violations

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Thursday: The US Treasury fined Bank of America $1.2 billion for anti-money laundering and sanctions violations.

Sunday: Treasury fine now cites Chinese money laundering networks

Left: Third-largest Treasury penalty ever imposed.

Right: Tied to Chinese networks and border criminals.

Trump signs executive order waiving Russia sanctions and tariffs mandated by the Graham Act.

Left: Sanctions targeting Russia's Ukraine war dropped early

Right: Graham Act halted in name of national interest