US consumer confidence plunges in February in its biggest decline in four years

Index reflects consumer optimism, which is shaky as inflation seems to be stuck and a trade war over tariffs looms

US consumer confidence plummeted in February, the biggest monthly decline in nearly four years, a business research group said on Tuesday, with inflation seemingly stuck and a trade war under Donald Trump seen by a growing number of Americans as inevitable.

The Conference Board reported that its consumer confidence index sank this month to 98.3 from 105.3 in January. That's far below the expectations of economists, who projected a reading of 103, according to a survey by FactSet.