Financial News: U.S. Consumer Sentiment Improves Much More Than Expected

U.S. Consumer Sentiment Improves Much More Than Expected In July

07/17/2026 - 10:24:00 (RTTNews)

(RTTNews) - Consumer sentiment in the U.S. has improved by much more than expected in the month of July, according to preliminary data released by the University of Michigan on Friday.

The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index jumped to 54.4 in July from 49.5 in June. Economists had expected the index to rise to 51.3.

With the bigger than expected increase, the consumer sentiment bounced further off the record low set in May and reached its highest level since hitting 56.5 in February.

The report said the current economic conditions index surged to 54.9 in July from 47.7 in June, while the index of consumer expectations shot up to 54.0 in July from 50.7 in June.

"This month's rise in sentiment was pervasive across the population, seen across groups by age, income, wealth, and political party," said Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu. "Particularly strong increases were seen among consumers without a bachelor's degree."

"However, with prices remaining frustratingly high, consumers are hardly ebullient about the economy; sentiment is down 12% from a year ago," she added. "Thus, sentiment's upward momentum may prove difficult to sustain if recent declines in gas prices continue to reverse course."

Hsu noted that more than 70 percent of interviews for this report were completed before the resumption of U.S. strikes against Iran on July 7th and the subsequent increase in gas prices.

The report said year-ahead inflation expectations fell to 4.2 percent in July from 4.6 percent but still substantially exceed the 3.4 percent seen in February before the Iran conflict began

Long-run inflation expectations held steady from last month at 3.3 percent, remaining a bit higher than the 2.8 to 3.2 percent range seen in 2024, the University of Michigan said.

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

Market News provided by RTTNews

RECENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS

U.S. Wholesale Inventories Rise Slightly Less Than Expected In June (03 hr(s), 11 min(s), 53 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - A report released by the Commerce Department on Thursday showed wholesale inventories ...Full Story»

U.S. Labor Productivity Jumps Much More Than Expected In Q2 (03 hr(s), 20 min(s), 53 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing labor productivity in the U ...Full Story»

U.S. Jobless Claims Inch Up Less Than Expected To 199,000 (03 hr(s), 35 min(s), 53 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed first-time claims for U.S ...Full Story»

Cyprus Inflation Eases To 2.9% In July (04 hr(s), 35 min(s), 53 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Cyprus' consumer price inflation moderated somewhat in July from a 32-month high i ...Full Story»

Taiwan Inflation Eases Slightly To 2.54% In July (05 hr(s), 01 min(s), 53 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Taiwan's consumer price inflation moderated marginally in July from a 17-month hig ...Full Story»

German Factory Orders Growth Beats Expectations (05 hr(s), 03 min(s), 53 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Germany's factory orders logged a stronger-than-expected growth in June but the ex ...Full Story»

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Inch Up Less Than Expected (05 hr(s), 18 min(s), 53 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed first-time claims for U.S ...Full Story»

Eurozone Retail Sales Fall Unexpectedly (05 hr(s), 36 min(s), 53 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Eurozone retail sales declined unexpectedly in June after rising moderately in May, su ...Full Story»