Help Daily discussion thread for July 28, 2026
US Consumer Confidence fell to 90.8 in July, missing market expectations. Despite weakening consumer sentiment, strong corporate earnings from Coca-Cola, Boeing, and Visa helped boost the Dow Jones Industrial Average by 1.03%.
US Consumer Confidence fell to 90.8 in July, driven lower by worsening perceptions of present business conditions.
Despite subdued sentiment, US retail sales and consumer spending maintain an overall upward trajectory.
Coca-Cola and Visa surpassed revenue and earnings per share (EPS) estimates, with Coca-Cola reaching a new record high stock price.
Boeing exceeded top-line revenue expectations despite missing on EPS; nevertheless, its shares advanced by 4.76%.
Conference Board consumer confidence decreases below market expectations
According to data released by the Conference Board, the US Consumer Confidence Index declined from 92.2 in June to 90.8 points in July, falling short of analysts' expectations of 92.4. Figure 1 illustrates how consumer confidence has moderated since July 2021; however, from a broader historical perspective, current confidence levels remain above those recorded during the economic downturns of 2001 and 2008.
Survey results indicate that the Present Situation Index—which evaluates current business and labour market conditions—fell by 3.6 points to 114.9. Meanwhile, the Expectations Index, which assesses the short-term outlook for income, business, and labour market conditions, remained unchanged at 74.7.
While underlying consumer sentiment has deteriorated over the last five years, domestic consumption remains resilient. US retail sales have maintained an upward trajectory over the last three years, reaching an annual growth rate of 6.7% in the final reading for June. Concurrently, consumer spending continues its upward trend, albeit with a slight easing in overall growth momentum.
Figure 1. US Consumer Confidence (2000–2026). Source: Data from the Conference Board; Figure obtained from Investing.com.
Corporate earnings results: Coca-Cola, Boeing, and Visa
Three mega-cap constituents of the Dow Jones Industrial Average published their quarterly financial results: The Coca-Cola Company, Boeing, and Visa.
The Coca-Cola Company and Visa Inc. surpassed analysts' expectations for both revenue and earnings per share (EPS). Coca-Cola reported total revenue of $13.40 billion, beating estimates of $13.16 billion. Concurrently, the beverage giant posted an EPS of $0.97, exceeding forecasts of $0.93. These figures represent a year-on-year (YoY) revenue growth rate of 5.9% and an 11.49% YoY increase in EPS. Consequently, Coca-Cola shares advanced by 5.00% to $88.27, marking a new record high.
Meanwhile, Visa Inc. reported total revenue of $11.60 billion, topping market estimates of $11.38 billion. Furthermore, the financial services leader posted an EPS of $3.32, exceeding the consensus forecast of $3.22. These metrics reflect YoY revenue growth of 14.35% and an annual EPS expansion of 11.40%. However, Visa’s stock recorded a modest depreciation of 1.39% in post-market trading, following the release of its quarterly figures at the market close.
Additionally, aerospace and defence firm The Boeing Company surpassed revenue expectations while falling short on EPS estimates. The firm generated revenue of $24.60 billion, beating forecasts of $23.95 billion. Conversely, Boeing reported a contraction in EPS to -$0.76, representing a deeper loss than the expected -$0.29. These figures reflect a YoY revenue growth rate of 7.9% alongside a moderation in year-on-year losses compared to the prior period's EPS contraction of $1.24. Driven by the top-line beat, Boeing’s shares rallied 4.76% to $221.56.
Supported by these major corporate results, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 1.03% to close at 52,752 points, nearing its all-time high of 53,060 points.
