6 October 2026
Consumer Sentiment down 13%
The September Consumer Sentiment index, at 48.1, is the second-lowest level since its inception; its lowest level, at 44.8, occurred in May of this year. The four lowest consumer sentiment levels have all occurred so far this year. 2026 is the first time the index has fallen below 50. The September index was 7 points below its lowest level during the Great Recession.
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Housing Sales Flatten
U.S. home sales in August were slightly below their level a year earlier as mortgage rates moved higher. Most forecasts expect borrowing costs to remain measurably above year-ago levels through the rest of the year.
The FED raised its rate
During the September meeting of the Fed's Open Market Committee (FOMC), the members decided to raise their rate by a quarter of a percent, the first raise in 3 years and the first change since last December’s quarter-point cut.
Gasoline prices are rising.
Gasoline prices are heading back up. According to AAA, regular gas in the Valley currently averages $4.21 per gallon, slightly higher than the national average of $4.15. It’s been a volatile year at the pump. We started January at $2.81, followed by consecutive monthly increases that peaked at $4.48 in May during the initial outbreak of war in the Middle East. Prices briefly dialed back through June and July as hostilities eased, but as regional conflict has flared back up, so have prices at the pump—breaking $4 in August and maintaining that upward momentum.
Consumer Sentiment down 11%
The August Consumer Sentiment data showed an 11% drop from last year. Slight improvement over May’s index, which was at its lowest level since the index’s inception in 1952, according to the University of Michigan.The decline in confidence was widespread, but more pronounced among older consumers, lower-income consumers, and those without college degrees.
Host, Economic Pulse on WDIY 88.1 FM
Thirty-eight years reading this region’s numbers.
Dr. Kamran Afshar holds a Ph.D. in economics and taught at the graduate and undergraduate levels from 1978 to 1988, when he founded Kamran Afshar Associates, Inc. Since then the firm has conducted economic impact studies, feasibility studies, customer satisfaction surveys and competitive analysis for banks, hospitals, manufacturers, municipalities and universities across the Lehigh Valley.
He is a primary source on the regional economy for print and broadcast media, publishes the Lehigh Valley Economic Review, and hosts Economic Pulse each week on WDIY 88.1 FM, where he serves on the board of the Lehigh Valley Community Broadcasters Association.
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With the accurate, objective, current market research data from KAA, I had the vital tools I needed to make informed, confident, prudent decisions to take our bank to the next level.
Scott V. Fainor CEO, National Penn Bancshares, Inc. -
KAA, provided us crucial actionable information about our customers and competitors. It was particularly of interest to see an independent analysis of the bank’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Your recommendations were of direct application and immediate use.
David Lobach President/CEO, Embassy Bank -
In working with Kamran, the information derived and conclusions reached were very insightful. He has been of great assistance to me in learning more about my employees and customer base…. I recommend Kamran Afshar and KAA Inc. very highly.
John M. Hayes President, AFC First Financial Corp
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- City of Allentown
- CompTel
- County of Lehigh
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- Gertrude Hawk Chocolate
- KNBT
- Lafayette Ambassador Bank
- LANTA
- Lehigh Cement
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- Lehigh Valley Bank
- Lucent Technologies
- LVI Airport
- Mack Trucks, Inc.
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