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U.S. consumer confidence declined again in September as Americans pessimism over inflation and the weakening job market continued to grow. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell by 3.6 points to 94.2 in September, down from Augusts 97.8. Thats a bigger drop than analysts were expecting and the lowest reading since April, when President Donald Trump rolled out his sweeping tariff policy. A measure of Americans short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market fell to 73.4, remaining well below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead. Consumers assessments of their current economic situation dipped by 7 points to 125.4. Write-in responses to the survey showed that references to prices and inflation rose this month, regaining its top position as consumers main concern about the economy. Mentions of tariffs declined this month but remain elevated, the Conference Board said. Government data released earlier this month showed that inflation rose in August as the price of gas, groceries, and airfares jumped. Consumer prices increased 2.9% last month from a year earlier, the Labor Department said, up from 2.7% the previous month and the biggest jump since January. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 3.1%, the same as in July. While unemployment and layoffs remain historically low, there has been noticeable deterioration in the labor market this year and mounting evidence that people are having difficulty finding jobs. Earlier this month, the government reported that U.S. nonfarm employers added a paltry 22,000 jobs in August, following Julys disappointing 79,000 job gains. Worse, revisions to the May and June figures shaved 258,000 jobs off previous estimates. The unemployment rate stands at 4.3%, the highest since October 2021. Also Tuesday, the Labor Department reported that U.S. job openings in August remained at 7.2 million, about the same as the previous month. In addition to the lingering effects of 11 interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserves inflation fighters in 2022 and 2023, economists say the recent hiring slump may also be a result of Trumps policies, including his sweeping and ever-changing tariffs on imports, a crackdown on illegal immigration and purges of the federal workforce. Many companies are locked in a no hire, no fire position, fearful of expanding payrolls until the effects of Trumps tariffs are more clear. More jobs data comes Friday when the government releases its September labor market data, with analysts forecasting 50,000 job gains. However, that report could be postponed if a budget impasse in Congress leads to a government shutdown Wednesday. The share of consumers expecting a recession over the next year rose modestly in September to the highest level since May. Survey respondents who said they intended to buy a new or used car in the near future fell, while the share of those saying they planned to purchase a home rose to a four-month high. Those saying they planned to buy big-ticket items like appliances were little changed from August with big variations across categories. Matt Ott, AP business writer
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The stat that women receive less than 2% of VC funding is often citedbut that figure tells only part of the story. Angel investors, non-dilutive grants, and other funding methods are shifting the landscape for women and other underrepresented foundersespecially at a time when DEI initiatives are in peril. This panel explores how investors are closing the funding gap and what you should know to get the capital you need.
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Matcha drinks continue to challenge coffees dominance as the caffeinated beverage of choice. In the U.S., retail sales of matcha are up 86% from three years ago, according to market research firm NIQ. The drinks increasing popularity, particularly among Gen Z consumers, has resulted in shortages and supply-chain issues. But when a recent Instagram reel that went viral suggested consuming Matcha might be contributing to hair loss, panic ensued. Can I unsee this post? one wrote. WHY DOES THE INTERNET HAVE TO RUIN EVERYTHING, another protested. Soon, others were sharing similar alleged experiences. When you realise that the matcha youve been drinking every morning is the reason your hair is falling out, one woman on TikTok wrote. Can it be true? Has the bright green beverage weve been told helps alleviate stress, enhances our immune systems, and supports our health, been a secret saboteur all along? Like most health-related posts online, the truth is more complicated than a viral TikTok would have you believe, and comes with a whole host of caveats. The good news: No, your daily matcha habit is not going to directly cause hair loss. The viral claims aren’t backed by any clinical research, Dr. Divpreet Sacha at Her Holistic Health told Fast Company. In fact, studies show the oppositegreen tea and matcha may actually help with hair growth because of their antioxidants. Matcha might, however, affect iron levels, which may contribute to extra shedding. The confusion probably comes from the fact that green tea can reduce iron absorption if you drink it with meals, Dr. Sacha continued. But there’s no evidence this leads to hair loss. You’d need a serious, long-term iron deficiency for that to happen, which isn’t caused by normal matcha drinking. Matcha contains tannins and other polyphenols, which can bind to iron in the digestive tract and reduce its absorption by the body. One woman even claimed her iron levels got so low from drinking matcha she ended up in hospital. RIP to my matcha obsession era, she wrote. Sacha added, People drinking 1-2 cups of matcha a day have nothing to worry about. If someone already has low iron, they should just avoid drinking it right before or after iron-rich meals, basic nutrition advice, not a hair loss warning. Matcha isnt the only popular drink with tannins. Theyre present in many common drinks, including red wine, coffee, and other types of tea. Hair loss also can be caused by a number of other culprits, including insufficient protein intake and other deficiencies. Fear not, for those with a balanced diet and healthy iron levels: Your morning matcha is back on the menu.
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