The Consumer Confidence Index was 97 in April, down from 103.1 in March, the Conference Board said today. The present situation index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—declined to 142.9 from 146.8 the previous month. The expectations index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions—fell to 66.4 from 74 in March.
“Confidence retreated further in April, reaching its lowest level since July 2022 as consumers became less positive about the current labor market situation, and more concerned about future business conditions, job availability and income,” said Dana Peterson, chief economist at the Conference Board. “Despite April’s dip in the overall index, since mid-2022, optimism about the present situation continues to more than offset concerns about the future.”
