Foreign Exchange Market Update

July 28, 2026

United States Consumer Confidence Deteriorates in July

Consumer confidence in the U.S. deteriorated in July. The consumer confidence index dipped from 92.2 in June to 90.8 in July. The present situation index, which is based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions, fell from 118.5 in June to 114.9 in July. Meanwhile, the expectations index, which is based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions, remained unchanged at 74.7. 07/28/2026 - 10:15:00 (RTTNews)

Eurozone

Euros traded at 1.1396 against USD at 9:00 AM PST

Spain's retail sales grew at a slower pace in June. Retail sales advanced by 0.5% in June from a year ago, following a 1.3% rise in May. Meanwhile, unadjusted sales rebounded 2.4% after falling 0.3% in the previous month. Month-on-month, retail sales moved up 0.3%, marking the second consecutive rise. However, growth slowed from the 0.6% rise posted in May. Food sales remained flat monthly, while non-food product sales grew 0.2%. 07/28/2026 - 08:55:00 (RTTNews)

Spain's jobless rate fell to the lowest since early 2008. The unemployment rate dropped to 9.87% in the second quarter from 10.83% in the preceding period. This was the lowest since the first quarter of 2008, when the rate was 9.60%. The number of unemployed people decreased 213,300 to 2.49 million in the second quarter. Compared to last year, unemployment fell 57,800.

Unemployment decreased in all sectors in the second quarter. Unemployment in services plunged by 170,300 and by 22,400 in the farm sector. Industry reported a decrease of 10,900, and construction recorded a fall of 5,400. The number of people employed increased to 22.78 million in the second quarter. 07/28/2026 - 06:27:00 (RTTNews)

French consumer confidence improved for the second month straight in July. The consumer sentiment index advanced from 84 in the previous month to 86 in July. The reading was seen at 85. Households' opinion regarding their personal financial situation, past and future, improved again. The corresponding balances of opinion increased by two points each. The proportion of households believing it is a good time to make major purchases also increased in July. The corresponding balance climbed two points but remained below its long-term average.

At the same time, the index measuring whether it is a good idea to save increased again. The balance advanced by four points, exceeding its long-term average. Assessments of consumers' ability to save, current and future, picked up in July. Both indices gained three points each. The judgment about future standard of living in France strengthened sharply. The balance rose six points, following a six-point rise in June. 07/28/2026 - 05:13:00 (RTTNews)