Consumer Sentiment Fell 4.3% in July, According to Preliminary Results

Ann Arbor, MI, July 15, 2016—Consumer sentiment fell to 89.5 in July, 4.3% below June’s 93.5, according to preliminary results from the University of Michigan’s Survey of Consumers.

This represents a 3.9% fall year over year.

“The early July decline in consumer sentiment was due to increased concerns about prospects for the national economy that were mainly voiced by high income households,” according to Survey of Consumers chief economist, Richard Curtin. “Prior to the Brexit vote, virtually no consumer thought the issue would have the slightest impact on the U.S. economy. Following the Brexit vote, it was mentioned by record numbers of consumers, especially high income consumers. Nearly one-in-four (24%) households with incomes in the top third mentioned Brexit when asked to identify any recent economic news that they had heard. For these households, the initial impact on domestic stock prices translated Brexit into personal wealth losses. While stock prices quickly rebounded, an underlying sense of uncertainty about global prospects as well as the outlook for the domestic economy have not faded. To be sure, the overall decline in the Sentiment Index was rather minor, and could be anticipated to recover some of those losses in late July or early August. Importantly, the least affected components have been personal finances and buying plans. Real consumer spending can be expected to rise by 2.7% in both 2016 and 2017.”