Gas prices weigh on consumer confidence

Consumer concerns about prices, jobs and the economy continued in July as inflation and higher gas costs dampened optimism.

By

National News

July 28, 2026 - 3:22 PM

Cars line up at the pumps of a Gulf Oil station on the Massachusetts Turnpike near Boston, Sunday, July 19, 2026. Photo by AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans’ confidence in the economy fell this month as gas prices resumed their climb after the U.S. and Iran stepped up their fighting.

The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell to 90.8 in July from 92.2 in June. That’s essentially the same tepid range its been in since the beginning of the year. In late 2024 and early 2025 the readings were well above 100.

CONSUMER attitudes had improved modestly in June as gas prices came down to around $3.70 a gallon from more than $4.50 a gallon in late April…

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