MarketWatch (07/17/15) Ruth Mantell

Consumers’ attitudes soured in July, with a gauge of their sentiment pulling back from June’s five-month high, according to reports on the University of Michigan gauge released Friday. The University of Michigan’s gauge of consumer sentiment fell to a preliminary July reading of 93.3 from a final June level of 96.1. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a July figure of 95. For context, the consumer-sentiment gauge averaged 86.9 over the year leading up to the recession.

The decline may be short-lived, economists say. A growing economy that’s adding a healthy number of jobs should boost confidence and support spending. Also, rising home prices have helped Americans gain equity in their properties, shoring up their personal finances.