U.S. consumers grew more gloomy in early October as their outlook for the economy and their finances hit its lowest level since 1980.

The survey was published Friday by the University of Michigan. Its index of consumer sentiment fell nearly two percentage points from the previous month.

Consumers have been hurt by high unemployment, stagnant incomes, and falling home prices and unsettled by wild swings on financial markets and political bickering in Washington.

The downbeat report contrasted with data from the Commerce Department earlier Friday. The government report showed U.S. retail sales rose 1.1 percent in September, the largest increase in seven months.

Experts watch both consumer sentiment and retail sales closely because consumer demand drives about 70 percent of U.S. economic activity.