Consumer confidence edges up in June as gas prices ease, but job worries grow

Consumer confidence ticked higher in June, but only a little. The Conference Board said its Consumer Confidence Index rose 0.6 point to 91.2, up from a revised 90.6 in May. The survey period was June 1-23, and the organization updated the release on June 30. That is a modest improvement, not a broad turn in household sentiment, and the reading remains below a year ago.

The small lift appears to have come partly from cheaper fuel. Dana M. Peterson, The Conference Board’s chief economist, said falling oil prices in recent weeks gave consumers some relief from inflation fears. AAA showed the national average for regular gasoline at $3.847 on June 30. That is still a meaningful cost for commuters, road trips, and everyday errands, but it is less punishing than the recent spikes that had been weighing on budgets.

Job anxiety is still pushing the other way

The weaker part of the report was the labor market outlook. The share of consumers saying jobs are “hard to get” rose to 22.5%, the highest level since January 2021. The Conference Board also said consumers downgraded their assessment of current labor-market conditions, even as they became a bit more hopeful about business and income prospects six months ahead. This is a survey measure of perception, not a government payroll report, but it is a useful warning sign for how people are feeling about work and income right now.

For households, the message is mixed. A little relief at the pump can help immediately, especially for drivers budgeting for commuting, summer travel, or delivery costs. But if people feel less secure about finding a job or keeping one, they are less likely to treat a small gasoline pullback as a reason to spend freely. That helps explain why the report points to caution rather than confidence.

The next big read on the economy arrives Thursday, July 2, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics is scheduled to release the June employment report. That will give a separate look at hiring, unemployment, and wages after this sentiment survey. For now, the June confidence report suggests a household mood that is a bit less squeezed on fuel, but still uneasy about jobs and the broader cost of living.

Sources

• The Conference Board — June 2026 Consumer Confidence release
• AAA Fuel Prices — National average gas price dashboard
• Associated Press — Consumer confidence rises as gas prices fall