Updated: 14-Aug-26 10:19 ET

August Univ. of Michigan Consumer Sentiment - Prelim

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.

Key Factors

• 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.

Big Picture

• 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