NEW YORK, July 17 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 54.4 in July 2026, according to a preliminary reading released Friday by the University of Michigan (UM) Surveys of Consumers, up from the final reading of 49.5 in June.
The survey warned that the improvement could be difficult to sustain if recent declines in gas prices are reversed.
Year-ahead inflation expectations edged down to 4.2 percent in July from 4.6 percent in June, but remained elevated, well above the 3.4 percent recorded 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 2.8-3.2 percent range seen in 2024. ■
