Contraction of the US economy since the second quarter of 2001, aggravated by the terrorist attacks on the US and the subsequent events, has severely undermined US consumer confidence.

• 自2001年第二季起,美国经济开始收缩,而美国遭受恐怖袭击及其后的事态发展令情况更趋恶化,严重打击当地消费信心。