Americans are down on the economy and concerned about costs: Polls

As the U.S. concludes its fifth month of conflict in Iran, which has caused oil shortages, driven up energy prices and increased inflation, majorities of Americans say they are very concerned about the cost of things they buy, rate the economy negatively and expect it to get worse, according to several polls conducted

Gallup’s economic confidence measure rose to -31 in July from a low of -45 in May, an improvement largely driven by Republicans and independents shifting in a more positive direction.