U.S. consumer sentiment weakened in early August, with the University of Michigan’s preliminary index falling to 58.6 from July’s 61.7 and undershooting the consensus forecast of 62.0. The decline marks the first setback in four months for the closely watched gauge of household confidence. All major components deteriorated. The Current Conditions index slid to 60.9, while the Expectations index inched down to 57.2. At the same time, short-term inflation expectations rose to 4.9%, the highest since May, and long-term expectations increased to 3.9%, reversing two months of easing. The survey report said the pullback in sentiment largely reflected renewed worries about inflation and a sharp drop in buying conditions for durable goods to the lowest level in a year. The preliminary figures will be revised on 29 August. Economists and policymakers track the survey closely because shifts in sentiment and inflation expectations can influence consumer spending patterns and the Federal Reserve’s assessment of price pressures.