Consumer sentiment falls to fresh record low in May as surging gas prices hit outlook

A sign displays fuel prices at a Shell gas station in downtown San Diego, California, US, on Monday, May 4, 2026. Ariana Drehsler | Bloomberg | Getty Images Surging gas prices due to the Iran war sent consumer sentiment to a new low in the early part of May, according to a University of Michigan survey Friday. The school's closely watched Survey of Consumers posted a 48.2 preliminary reading, down 3.2% from April's prior record swoon and off 7.7% from a year ago. …