U.S. consumer confidence increased modestly in July as Americans grew more upbeat about the economy and labor market, figures from the New York-based Conference Board showed Tuesday.

Key Takeaways

A currently healthy labor market and robust economic growth offset consumer concerns in July about how trade tensions will affect jobs and prices in coming months. The economy accelerated to a 4.1 percent pace of growth in the second quarter, the fastest since 2014.

While the report showed expectations for business conditions, employment and incomes over the next six months all improved, a greater share also expected those categories to worsen. Plans to buy autos within the next six months edged up from a two-year low, while a gauge of home purchase expectations declined to the lowest level in two years. Mortgage rates in the U.S. have been hovering near a seven-year high.

Economist Views

“Consumers’ assessment of present-day conditions improved, suggesting that economic growth is still strong,” Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at the Conference Board, said in a statement. “However, while expectations continue to reflect optimism in the short-term economic outlook, back-to-back declines suggest consumers do not foresee growth accelerating.”

Other Details

• 23.1 percent of consumers said they expect better business conditions in next six months, up from 20.7 percent in June
• 20.8 percent of households expected incomes to rise in next six months, up from 19.7 percent
• Share who said more jobs will be available in coming months climbed to 22.5 percent from 20 percent