Less enthusiasm about prospects for the U.S. economy and personal finances sent consumer sentiment to a nine-month low in July, survey data from the University of Michigan showed July 28.

Americans’ expectations about the economy deteriorated in July to an eight-month low as fewer households viewed conditions as improving, according to figures from the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index released July 20.

Americans’ perceptions about the economy took a big step back last week even as their views about their own finances and the buying climate stabilized, Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index figures showed June 6.