California consumer confidence tumbles to 5-year low

California consumers started 2026 on an anxious note, with their collective confidence in the economy falling to a five-year low.

My trusty spreadsheet’s review of the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index for January showed a 28% decline from December in California’s shopper pysche. It’s a sharp reversal from a steep jump in the index, which is based on consumer surveys, seen between November and December.

Taking a longer-term view, California confidence is down 25% since January 2025...