US consumer sentiment improves in June due to easing gas prices

Consumer sentiment still remains at historically low levels amid Iran war and rising inflation, new survey shows

Easing gas prices are making Americans feel better about their personal finances and the economy in June, but consumer sentiment remains at historically low levels amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to new survey data from the University of Michigan.

The latest numbers come as SpaceX marks its historic stock market debut, which has made Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire. Yet many Americans still feel like they are struggling even as the stock market reaches record highs.

Sentiment went up four points since mid-May, when Americans were paying an average of $4.50 a gallon at the pump, according to AAA . Average gas prices have since dropped to $4.10 a gallon – $1 more per gallon since a year ago.

Despite the rise in the index, sentiment is still lower than it was during the Covid-19 pandemic, including the high periods of inflation after, and last year, when Donald Trump introduced a slate of new tariffs.

“Views of the economy are still relatively dour,” said Joanne Hsu, director of the surveys of consumers at the University of Michigan. Consumers “feel burdened by the recent escalation in inflation and worry that higher inflation could remain stubborn going forward”, she added.

New US economic data from earlier this week showed that inflation hit a three-year high in May, reaching over 4% for the first time since 2023. Gas prices, however, came down in May, leading to some relief for American consumers, according to Hsu.

The recent uptick in consumer sentiment was widespread, seen across age groups, education levels and political parties. Lower-income groups, who are most sensitive to price fluctuations in gasoline, exhibited a particularly strong sentiment increase. Americans’ expectations of their personal finances also improved this month.