WASHINGTON \u2014 Consumer sentiment increased to a five-month high in \u200bJuly, but the improvement is likely temporary as renewed conflict in the Middle East raises gasoline prices.<\/p>\n
The University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers said on Friday that its Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 54.4 this month, the highest reading since February, from a final reading of 49.5 in June. \u200cEconomists polled by \u200cReuters had forecast the index rising to 51.0.<\/p>\n
The \u2060survey was conducted from June \u206023 to July 13, with more than 70% of interviews completed before the collapse of the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran<\/a> last week, which pushed oil prices to a one-month high. Gasoline prices have risen in \u200cresponse.<\/p>\n “This month’s rise in sentiment was \u200bpervasive across the population, seen across groups by age, income, wealth, and political party,” said Joanne Hsu, the director of the Surveys of Consumers. “However, with prices remaining frustratingly high, consumers are hardly ebullient about the economy; sentiment is down 12% from a year ago. Thus, sentiment’s \u200bupward momentum may prove difficult to sustain if recent declines \u200cin gas prices \u200ccontinue \u2060to reverse course.”<\/p>\n The survey’s measure of consumer expectations for inflation over the next year slipped to a still-elevated 4.2% this month from 4.6% in June. Consumers’ expectations for inflation over \u200cthe next five years \u200bheld steady at 3.3%.<\/p>\n