Updated: 14-Aug-26 10:19 ET
Highlights
- The preliminary reading for the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for August dropped to 51.0 (Briefing.com consensus: 54.5) from the final reading of 55.2 for July.
- In the same period a year ago, the index stood at 58.2.
- The Current Economic Conditions Index decreased to 51.8 from 54.8. In the same period a year ago, the index stood at 61.7.
- The Index of Consumer Expectations fell to 50.6 from 55.4. In the same period a year ago, the index stood at 55.9.
- Year-ahead inflation expectations edged up to 4.3% from 4.2% in July.
- Long-run inflation expectations held steady at 3.3% for the third straight month.
- The key takeaway from the report is that only 8% of all consumers surveyed expect their income growth to exceed inflation in the year ahead. That expectation could ultimately translate into lower discretionary spending activity.
| Category | AUG | JUL | JUN | MAY | APR |
| Sentiment | 51.0 | 55.2 | 49.5 | 44.8 | 49.8 |
| Outlook | 50.6 | 55.4 | 50.7 | 44.1 | 48.1 |
| Present conditions | 51.8 | 54.8 | 47.7 | 45.8 | 52.5 |
