美 소비자심리, 사상 최저 수준서 반등…휘발유 가격 하락 영향

U.S. consumer sentiment has bounced from record lows primarily due to falling gas prices, but this recovery remains fragile and vulnerable to Middle East geopolitical risks affecting energy markets. The widening sentiment gap between low and high-income consumers reveals deepening economic inequality, as energy costs disproportionately burden lower-income households' budgets. Despite moderating inflation expectations, sticky core price pressures constrain the Fed's rate-cutting ability, raising uncertainty about sustained economic growth amid external shocks.