U.S. consumer confidence falls to 90.8 in July

U.S. consumer confidence declined in July, reflecting growing unease about current economic conditions and the labor market. The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index fell to 90.8, down from a revised 92.2 in June, according to data released on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. This marks the third consecutive month of decline for the index.

The drop was driven by a weakening assessment of present conditions. The Present Situation Index, which measures views on current business and labor market conditions, fell to 114.9, its lowest level since early 2021. Consumers reported less positive views of both business conditions and job availability. The share of respondents describing jobs as "plentiful" declined, narrowing a key labor market differential to its smallest gap in several years, suggesting a tougher environment for job seekers.

In contrast, the Expectations Index, which gauges the outlook for the next six months, held steady at 74.7, remaining in territory historically associated with increased recession risk. Consumers anticipate little improvement in business conditions in the near term, though their outlook for the labor market and personal incomes was slightly less negative.