Consumer confidence edged higher in July, despite the doom and gloom flowing out of 
Washington, according to the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index released today.
The Index rose nearly two points to 59.5, up from 57.6 in June. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg News had expected the July index to decline to 56.
Although the Index rose – indicating improved optimism about the economy – consumers still have mixed feelings about how the economy is doing.