New York consumer sentiment edged up in the second quarter of 2026 and remained well above the national reading, according to the latest Siena Research Institute poll.<\/p>\n
The New York State Index of Consumer Sentiment stood at 66.5, up 0.9 points from the first quarter and 17 points above the national index of 49.5, which fell 3.8 points. New York\u2019s current conditions index declined 1.5 points to 61.8, while future expectations rose 2.4 points to 69.6. For the sixth consecutive quarter, the state\u2019s overall index remained below the breakeven point between optimism and pessimism.<\/p>\n
Travis Brodbeck, SRI\u2019s associate director of data management, said New York moved in the opposite direction from the nation, where consumer sentiment fell to a 50-year low. He attributed the state\u2019s slight increase to stronger expectations for the future, even as confidence in current economic conditions declined.<\/p>\n
Buying plans increased for most items. Plans to purchase consumer electronics rose to 46.7% from 41.6%, while vehicle-buying plans increased to 20.8% from 18.3%. Home improvement plans rose to 23.9%, and intentions to buy a home increased to 10.7%. Furniture purchase plans slipped slightly to 29.8%.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsumers are continuing to spend, but cautiously,\u201d Brodbeck said. Compared with last summer, vehicle-buying plans rose three percentage points, while plans for home improvements, electronics, furniture and homes were largely unchanged.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span>Concern about gasoline prices rose sharply. Sixty-three percent of New Yorkers said gas prices were having a somewhat or very serious effect on their finances, up 12 percentage points from the previous quarter. Food prices remained the top concern at 78%, followed by utilities at 72% and housing at 69%. Entertainment and streaming services were cited by 48%, and cell phone costs by 40%.<\/p>\n Fifty-eight percent said both gas and food prices were seriously affecting their finances, while 53% cited food, utility and housing costs. Twenty-four percent said all six expenses measured were weighing heavily on their finances, up from 19% in the previous quarter.<\/p>\n Brodbeck said six in 10 residents reported gasoline prices were squeezing their budgets for the first time since 2023, adding to pressure from food, utility and housing costs. He said the strain is especially severe for New Yorkers with the lowest incomes and fewest resources.<\/p>\n The Siena University Poll was conducted July 1-8, 2026, among 814 New York state residents by telephone, text-to-web and an online panel. The sample included 365 telephone respondents and 449 members of a proprietary online panel across New York state. Data was weighted to match state population estimates and party registration patterns. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.<\/p>\n For details visit\u00a0 www.siena.edu\/sri\/.<\/p>\n Provided by Siena University; edited for style and length.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" New York consumer sentiment edged up in the second quarter of 2026 and remained well above the national reading, according to the latest Siena Research Institute poll. The New York State Index of Consumer Sentiment stood at 66.5, up 0.9 points from the first quarter and 17 points above the national index of 49.5, which […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":89,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business-news"],"yoast_head":"\r\n