Consumer Sentiment Rises Slightly Amid Gas Relief

San Antonio News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 26, 2026 · 1m

Consumer sentiment edged up slightly in June, climbing from a record low to 49.5 after a 10% jump—still historically weak. Joanne Hsu, the survey director, credits shifting geopolitical tensions, especially with Iran, but notes people remain deeply pessimistic about the economy. Gas prices, now around $3.90 a gallon and falling since May, are offering some relief—and that’s what consumers are focused on, not diplomacy. Inflation expectations dipped to 4.6%, still alarmingly high, while actual inflation hit 4% for the first time in three years. For three straight months, more than half of…