作者：玛丽亚·保拉·米哈雷斯·托雷斯与杰弗里·斯帕肖特10月初，美国消费者信心指数出现下滑，由于通胀持续影响家庭开支，人们对当前经济状况的评价更是降至历史最低水平。
By Maria Paula Mijares Torres and Jeffrey Sparshott US consumer sentiment fell in early October and views of current economic conditions hit an all-time low as inflation weighed on households.
根据周五发布的调查数据，密歇根大学消费者信心指数初值降至46.3，为5月以来的最低水平。这一数值也低于彭博社对经济学家调查所预测的47.6的中位预期值。
The University of Michigan’s preliminary sentiment index decreased to 46.3, the lowest reading since May, according to the survey released Friday. That was below the median estimate of 47.6 in a Bloomberg survey of economists.
反映当前经济状况的指标则从上月的50.9骤降至44.7，创下历史新低；而预期指数则由46.3回升至47.3，为7月以来的首次上升。
The current conditions gauge sank to 44.7, the lowest on record, from 50.9 in the previous month. The expectations index rose to 47.3 from 46.3, the first increase since July.
汽油价格居高不下、借贷成本上升以及就业增长放缓等因素共同导致消费者信心持续恶化。
Consumer sentiment continued to worsen as gasoline prices remained elevated, borrowing costs rose and hiring slowed.
消费者预计未来一年物价涨幅将达4.7%，较上月的4.6%略有上升。此外，他们预计未来5至10年间物价年均涨幅也将达到3.5%，这一数值也略高于9月份的预期水平。
Consumers expect prices to rise 4.7% over the next year, up slightly from 4.6% in the previous month. They also saw costs rising at an annual rate of 3.5% over the next five to 10 years, slightly more than what consumers estimated in September.
燃料价格上涨令本就饱受持续通胀与生活成本上升困扰的消费者倍感压力。近几个月来，物价涨幅一直超过工资增长幅度，进一步挤压了家庭预算空间。
Higher fuel prices are weighing on consumers already frustrated with persistent inflation and the rising cost of living. In recent months, overall price increases have been outpacing pay gains, further pressuring household budgets.
该调查负责人乔安妮·许在声明中指出，本月低收入群体以及股票资产较少的消费者的信心指数均出现大幅下滑；虽然民主党和共和党支持者的信心指数有所回升，但独立选民的信心却出现下降。
Sentiment of lower-income consumers and those with smaller stock portfolios dropped steeply this month, Joanne Hsu, director of the survey, said in a statement. And increases in sentiment among Democrats and Republicans were offset by a decline among independents.
“尽管政治立场各异，但所有政治派别的消费者都一致认为，自今年年初伊朗冲突爆发前起，经济前景便开始趋于疲软，”许说道。
“Despite their differences, consumers of all political identifications agree that the outlook for the economy has softened since the beginning of the year prior to the Iran conflict,’’ Hsu said.
尽管今年大部分时间里消费者信心指数一直处于历史低位，但消费支出仍保持稳健。稳定的就业市场与活跃的股市共同支撑着各类商品与服务的消费需求。
While consumer sentiment has been historically weak much of this year, spending has remained healthy. A stable labor market and buoyant stock market are supporting outlays on a wide range of goods and services.
本月，消费者对自身当前财务状况的评价保持稳定；不过由于对利率上升的担忧，他们对耐用品购买条件的看法则降至历史最低水平。本次调查的采样时间为9月22日至10月5日。
Consumers’ perception of their current financial situation held steady this month, though their view of buying conditions for durable goods fell to a record low due to concerns over higher interest rates. The survey period includes responses from Sept. 22 to Oct. 5.
周五发布的一份关于消费者对汽油价格上涨反应的专项报告显示，仅有约31%的受访者预计未来一年的消费水平会与往年持平。略超半数的受访者则表示，他们将减少在家庭用品、汽车、外出就餐及旅游等方面的开支。
A special report on consumers' response to higher gasoline prices released Friday found only about 31% expect to spend as usual over the coming year. Just over half said they would cut back spending on items such as households goods, cars, dining out and vacations.