Consumer Confidence Index slips in April

The Conference Board’s Present Situation Index increased to 151.1, from 148.9. And the Expectations Index fell to 68.1, from 74.0.

“While consumers’ relatively favorable assessment of the current business environment improved somewhat in April, their expectations fell and remain below the level which often signals a recession looming in the short-term,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, Senior Director, Economics at The Conference Board. “Consumers became more pessimistic about the outlook for both business conditions and labor markets. Compared to last month, fewer households expect business conditions to improve and more expect worsening of conditions in the next six months. They also expect fewer jobs to be available over the short term. April’s decline in consumer confidence reflects particular deterioration in expectations for consumers under 55 years of age and for households earning $50,000 and over.”

“Meanwhile, April’s results show consumer inflation expectations over the next 12 months remain essentially unchanged from March at 6.2 percent—although that level is down substantially from the peak of 7.9 percent reached last year, it is still elevated. Overall purchasing plans for homes, autos, appliances, and vacations all pulled back in April, a signal that consumers may be economizing amid growing pessimism.”

Also from the Conference Board: consumers’ assessment of current business conditions improved somewhat in April.

• 18.8% of consumers said business conditions were “good,” same as last month.
• However, 18.1% said business conditions were “bad,” down from 19.3%.

However, consumers became more pessimistic about the short-term business conditions outlook in April.

• 13.5% of consumers expect business conditions to improve, down from 16.4%.
• And, 21.5% expect business conditions to worsen, up from 19.2%.