US consumer sentiment held steady in October, but labor market worries persist

U.S. consumer sentiment held steady in October, though Americans' concerns about the labor market and inflation persisted as the government shutdown began.The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment survey for October was little changed from last month, coming in at 55 as economists polled by LSEG estimated a more significant decline to 54.2, after the index had a 55.1 reading for September.Michigan's Surveys of Consumers said that "pocketbook issues like high prices and weakening job prospects remain at the forefront of consumers' minds," adding that interviews with respondent