AI Data Insight
In September 2026, the preliminary US University of Michigan 5-year inflation expectation reached 3.4%, up slightly from 3.3% in August, indicating that long-term price pressure stickiness remains. Accompanied by soaring gasoline prices and escalating trade frictions, the overall consumer sentiment index dropped to 47.8, well below expectations. The rebound in inflation expectations has triggered market concerns about stagflation, significantly boosting the probability of the Federal Reserve raising interest rates again in the fourth quarter.