(Bloomberg) -- U.S. consumer sentiment declined further in early February to a fresh decade low as views about personal finances deteriorated due to intensifying inflation concerns. The government’s consumer price index rose 7.5% in January, the fastest annual pace since 1982, as costs for food, housing and electricity jumped, a report showed Thursday. That’s the highest share since 1980 and an indication of the toll faster inflation is taking on household balance sheets. While Republicans have a more negative opinion, Democrats and political independents are growing increasingly pessimistic, the report showed. Poor government economic policies were cited by 51% of respondents, the highest share since 2014.
