The Present Situation Index and Expectations Index also edged up, posting 133.0 for July (132.2 in June) and 88.8 this month (87.5 last month), respectively.

"Consumer confidence continues to hold steady, with the prognosis little changed from last month," says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center. "Present day conditions remain favorable, though not as strong as earlier this year. Expectations for the months ahead remain cautious and also below levels earlier this year."

In unrelated news, the National Association of Realtors said today that sales of existing homes fell 1.3% in June, dropping to US$6.62 million. The positive aspect is that the median price of homes has risen to 0.9% in the past year to $231,000, but it is the weakest growth in 10 years.

Meanwhile, the inventory of unsold homes rose to a record 3.725 million, the highest since July 1997, with sales of existing homes down 8.9% compared to last year.

For more information about Conference Board, please log on: www.conference-board.org