US Economic Optimism Recovers Less than Expected

The RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index rose to 45.6 in Septemer of 2026 from 45.1 in the previous month, missing expectations of 46.2, but still enough to mark the highest level since March. The gain was caried by greater confidence among investors and higher-income households, offsetting a deterioration in sentiment for non-investors and lower-income households. The six-month outlook rose to 41.3 from 39.9, and the personal financial outlook index fell to 52.7 from 53. Meanwhile, the index measuring confidence in economic policy by the federal government rose to 42.9 from 42.3.

The RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index edged down to 45.1 in August 2026 from 45.5 in July, missing market expectations of 47.5 and remaining below the neutral 50 mark. The Six-Month Economic Outlook index fell to 39.9 from 42.1, reflecting weaker expectations for the economy. Meanwhile, the Personal Financial Outlook, which measures households' expectations for their finances over the next six months, rose to 53 from 52.2, remaining the only component above the neutral threshold. Confidence in Federal Economic Policies, a measure of views on the effectiveness of government economic policies, also improved slightly, edging up to 42.3 from 42.1.

The RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index rose to 45.5 in July 2026 from 42.5 in May, beating market expectations of 45. The Six-Month Economic Outlook, which measures how consumers perceive the economy’s prospects in the next six months, increased to 42.1 from 37.1. Also, the Personal Financial Outlook, a measure of how Americans feel about their own finances in the next six months, rose to 52.2 from 50.1, remaining the only component anchored at the 50 line. Confidence in Federal Economic Policies, a measure of views on the effectiveness of government economic policies, rose to 42.1 from 40.2