US consumer sentiment improved in July, with the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index coming in above expectations. The index printed at 55.2 versus a consensus forecast of 54, indicating a firmer reading on household attitudes than markets had pencilled in.<\/p>\n
The release adds to the latest run of US survey data tracked by economists for signals on spending conditions and inflation expectations.<\/p>\n
While the index remains low in absolute terms, the July upside surprise may feed into assessments of demand and the policy outlook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n