Consumer confidence has fallen in December, signaling potential headwinds for the economy. The index, a key indicator of household spending intentions, registered a decrease driven primarily by anxieties surrounding near-term business conditions and employment prospects.

Analysts suggest that rising energy costs and persistent inflation are contributing factors to the dampened consumer sentiment. The survey also revealed a decline in the proportion of consumers planning to make major purchases in the coming months. Economists will be closely monitoring consumer behavior to gauge the impact of this confidence dip on overall economic growth.