New York ? Consumer confidence recovered slightly in June after falling in May, as shoppers became more optimistic about the economy’s future, a private research group reported Tuesday.

The New York-based Conference Board said its confidence index rose to a better-than-expected reading of 105.7 from a revised 104.7 in May.

Analysts had expected 103.9.

The Present Situation Index, which measures how shoppers feel now about economic conditions, declined to 132.7 from 134.1. The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ outlook over the next six months, edged up to 87.6 from 85.1 in May.

Despite the improved confidence, stocks turned lower Tuesday as investors focused on the specter of another hike in a key interest rate later this week.

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 18.50 points, or 0.17 percent, to 11,026.78 after opening the day higher.