US Consumer Confidence on the Rise in July

The final monthly report from the University of Michigan, released on Friday, reveals a promising uptick in the Consumer Sentiment Index for July. With a 1.6% increase from the previous month, the index now stands at 61.7, though it reflects a 7.1% decrease compared to the same period last year.

Current Economic Conditions Show Significant Improvement

The Current Economic Conditions Index experienced a notable 4.9% rise from May and an 8.50% increase from July 2024, reaching 68 points. This suggests a robust recovery in certain sectors of the economy.

Consumer Expectations Face a Slight Decline

Contrasting the positive trends, the Index of Consumer Expectations saw a minor 0.7% drop month-over-month, settling at 57.7, and a more substantial 16.1% fall year-over-year, indicating lingering concerns among consumers about the future.

"Sentiment is improving but remains cautious," the report notes, highlighting that while consumer worries have eased since April 2025, optimism about the economy's direction is still scarce.