The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index dropped to 81.9 from 88.6 in August 2026, stretching a two-month slide into a third. The Present Situation Index sank to 109.3. The Expectations Index, now on its third consecutive decline, landed at 63.6. August job openings eased to 7.1 million from a revised 7.3 million. Hires held at 5.2 million, quits at 3.1 million, layoffs and discharges at 1.6 million. Industries barely budged. Official language called the openings change “small.” Markets treated the confidence print as if someone had set fire to the furniture.