Consumer Sentiment Darkens As Inflation Concerns Return

US consumer sentiment deteriorated considerably in early October. The preliminary read on the University of Michigan's gauge matched the lowest estimate from more than four-dozen economists at 63. Consensus wanted 67. The range was 63 to 70.2. October's initial result was the worst since May and reflected a "substantial increase in concerns over inflation," as well as a dramatic decline in perceptions of business conditions for the year ahead. Both the current conditions and expectations ga