Analysts say fewer than half of U.S. dealers are optimistic about the auto retail market in Cox Automotive’s latest Dealer Sentiment Index report, but expectations for the spring are notably higher. +

Cox Automotive’s Q4 Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index finds dwindling optimism among retailers as escalating costs, prices and uncertainty affect profits and consumer confidence. +

The Consumer Confidence Index fell 5.4 points in June, led by a plummeting Expectations Index, which remains below the threshold said to “typically signal” an oncoming recession. +

The Conference Board’s U.S. Consumer Confidence Index has fallen 7.2 points year-over-year to 92.9, weighed down by a 12-year low of 65.2 for the board’s Expectations Index. +

The U.S. new light-vehicle market saw a 12% gain in October, fueled by strong retail growth that helped offset a weaker commercial sales market. +