The Conference Board reports U.S. consumer confidence rises in June, edging up 0.6 points to 91.2. Despite the increase, the index remains below its year-ago level of 95.2, signaling that consumer sentiment is still weaker than it was a year earlier. PBS NewsHour and Quartz both attribute part of the improvement to lower energy prices, including falling oil and gas costs, which ease concerns about inflation. Quartz adds that the June reading falls short of what some economists expected, indicating the gain is modest rather than a broad rebound. Both outlets also note that confidence is constrained by lingering economic worries. Quartz highlights that concerns about the labor market continue to deepen, suggesting that improvements in inflation expectations have not fully offset fears about employment conditions. Overall, the reports show a slight improvement in consumer attitudes alongside a still-cautious economic picture, with sentiment remaining below last year’s level and weaker than forecasts.