California consumer confidence rises slightly in July

Californians were more optimistic about finances in July only the second monthly improvement since Donald Trump won the presidency The Conference Board s measurement of California s consumer confidence rose from June according to my trusty spreadsheets review of this index derived from consumer polling The index has dropped in seven of the nine months since October just before Balloting Day The confidence yardstick is off from October when it was at a -month high It s also below the index s average dating to The Golden State anxiety is not unexpected considering Trump s America First thinking runs counter to California s globally oriented financial sector Heightened tension surrounding immigration enforcement and global pact frictions are no confidence boosters The overall confidence index rose in July because optimism for California s future improved One slice of the index the expectations index rose in July But Californians are still worried about what s next This forward-looking index is down from October and is below average Meanwhile California s view of current conditions soured in July The present situation slice of the confidence index was off for the month and is down from October However after those drops this yardstick of in current times s economic psyche remains above its -year average National worries The Golden State isn t alone Consumers across the country have equally mixed feelings about their finances The national confidence index rose for July It s off from October but remains above average The seven other states tracked by the Conference Board also had divided opinions on the market system Two state confidence indexes had gains from June Texas Up for July rising from October and above average Michigan Up for July rising from October and above average Four had dips in optimism Florida Off for July down from October but above average Pennsylvania Off for July down from October but above average Illinois Off for July down from October but above average Ohio Off for July down from October and above average And New York was flat for July It s off from October but above average Jonathan Lansner is the business columnist for the Southern California News Group He can be reached at jlansner scng com Related Articles Trump removes official overseeing jobs evidence after dismal employment document Economic upswing sprouts on multiple fronts in downtown San Jose account shows Filipino supermarket Seafood City opens first branch in Daly City US job development stalls Just jobs added in July with stunning downward revisions to fresh months Trump s new tariffs give particular countries a break while shares and US dollar sink