U.S. consumer confidence index for June exceeds initial estimate, boosted by declining gasoline prices

```htmlGolden Ten Data reported on June 26 that the final value of the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for June in the United States recorded 49.5 (preliminary value was 48.9), rising approximately 10% compared to May, due to a decrease in gasoline prices. Consumer confidence improved across all income, wealth levels, and political affiliations. Expectations for business conditions over the next five years surged by 16%, indicating that consumers’ concerns about the long-term consequences of the Iran conflict seem to be easing. However, the confidence index remains in an unfavorable range, 13% lower than February 2026 (before the outbreak of the Iran conflict) and nearly 20% lower than the same period last year. The cost of living remains the most pressing issue for consumers: for the third consecutive month, more than half of respondents mentioned that high prices are dragging down their personal financial situation. Inflation expectations for the coming year have slightly decreased to 4.6% this month from 4.8% in May, but remain elevated. The current reading is significantly higher than the 3.4% recorded two months prior to the Iran conflict and exceeds all figures for 2024. Long-term inflation expectations fell from last month’s 3.9% to 3.3% in June, still slightly above the 2.8%-3.2% range observed in 2024.```