The consumer confidence index decreased to 97.3 in July from a revised 97.4 last month, The Conference Board reported Tuesday.
The June index was originally reported as 98.0.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters predicted a 95.8 reading for the index.
The present situation index grew to 118.3 from a revised 116.6, first reported as 118.3, while the expectations index gained to 83.3 from a revised 84.6, first reported as 84.5.
"Consumer confidence held steady in July, after improving in June," said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators for The Conference Board. "Consumers were slightly more positive about current business and labor market conditions, suggesting the economy will continue to expand at a moderate pace. Expectations regarding business and labor market conditions, as well as personal income prospects, declined slightly as consumers remain cautiously optimistic about growth in the near-term."
Business conditions were called "good" by 28.1% of respondents in July, up from 26.8% of respondents in June. Those saying conditions are "bad" grew to 19.0% from 18.3%.
The percentage of consumers expecting a pickup in business conditions in the next half year slid to 15.9% from 16.6%, while 12.3% said they expect conditions to worsen, up from 11.2% in the prior month.
On the jobs front, those who believe jobs are "plentiful" fell to 23.0% in July from 23.2% in June, while the number saying jobs are "hard to get" dropped to 22.3% from 23.7%. The respondents who see fewer jobs becoming available in a half year, dipped to 17.0% from 17.7%. Those expecting more jobs to become available increased to 14.0% from 13.9%, The Conference Board reported.
The consumer confidence survey is based on a probability design random sample by the Nielsen Company.
