Consumer confidence ticks up in June; labor market concerns rise
Americans’ outlook about the economy improved somewhat in June as moderating gas prices brought some relief to inflation-weary consumers.
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index ticked up by 0.6 points to 91.2, in June, up from a downwardly revised 90.6 in May but below its year-ago reading of 95.2.
“Consumer confidence inched up in June as falling oil prices in recent weeks provided some relief to consumer inflation fears,” said Dana M Peterson, chief economist, The Conference Board.
Perceptions of the current labor market softened measurably in June as the percentage of consumers saying jobs were ‘hard to get’ rose to 22.5%, the highest level since January 2021 (22.8%).