The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index for the US was relatively unchanged in July following an increase in June, The Conference Board announced today. The index edged down to a reading of 97.3 (1985=100) from a reading of 97.4 in June.

“Consumer confidence held steady in July, after improving in June,” said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at 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.”

According to the index’s survey, those stating jobs are “plentiful” edged down to 23.0% from 23.2% in June; however, those claiming jobs are “hard to get” also decreased to 22.3% from 23.7%. Those anticipating more jobs in the months ahead was virtually unchanged at 14.0% in July, while those anticipating fewer jobs fell to 17.0% in July from 17.7% in June.