University of Michigan survey: 41% expect household finances to worsen a year later, up from 36% in the third q

University of Michigan consumer survey data show 41% of respondents in Q2 2026 expected their household finances to worsen over the next year, the highest quarterly reading on record at the time, before easing to 36% in the most recently released Q3 figure. The survey, based on 3,755 Q2 responses, asks participants to compare their family's financial situation one year ahead with the present; it does not track actual income or asset changes. In Q2, 20% expected improvement, 38% expected no change, and 1% were unsure or did not answer. The 41% reading was up 1 percentage point from 40% in Q2 2025 and 6 points from 35% in Q1 2026. The elevated pessimism signals persistent consumer financial anxiety despite the Q3 improvement, and upcoming quarterly releases will show whether the easing continues or the Q2 peak marked a turning point in household sentiment.