Americans aren’t worried about the government shutdown. But they remain pessimistic about the cost of living and weak hiring

In recent years, consumer sentiment has not been a good predictor of future spending. Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg/Getty Images Washington —

Persistent worries about the higher cost of living and few job opportunities pushed consumer sentiment down to its seventh-lowest level on records going back to 1952.

Consumer sentiment edged a hair lower early this month to a preliminary reading of 55, the University of Michigan said Friday — a weak level rarely been seen in the post-World War II era. It’s slightly above the lows it reached this spring when President Donald Trump unveiled massive tariffs.

“Pocketbook issues like high prices and weakening job prospects remain at the forefront of consumers’ minds,” Joanne Hsu, the survey’s director, said in a release. “Consumers do not expect mea