The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased in March, declined in April. The index now stands at 95.2 (1985=100), down from 101.4 in March. The Present Situation Index decreased from 109.5 last month to 106.8 in April. The Expectations Index declined from 96.0 last month to 87.5 in April.
Consumers’ appraisal of current-day conditions continued to soften. Those saying business conditions are “good” edged down from 26.7% to 26.5%. However, those claiming business conditions are “bad” also decreased from 19.4% to 18.2%.