SurveysApr 29, 2024
Mother’s Day Jewelry Spending to Reach $7B, Says NRFSurveysMay 01, 2024
Consumer Confidence Falls in April
Concerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index fell to 97 in April, marking a third consecutive month of decline.
New York—U.S. consumer confidence fell in April as consumers held a more negative outlook about the current labor market and future jobs, income, and business conditions.
It marks the third consecutive month of decline, reaching its lowest level since July 2022.
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index fell to 97 in April, down from a downwardly revised 103.1 in March.
“Despite these three months of weakness, the gauge continues to move sideways within a relatively narrow range that’s largely held steady for more than two years,” said 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,” said Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at the Conference Board.
Confidence declined among all age groups and income levels, except for the $25,000 to $49,999 bracket.
Consumers under 35 continued to show greater confidence than those over 35.
Households with incomes below $25,000 and those above $75,000 reported the largest drop in confidence.
Over a six-month basis, confidence for consumers earning less than $50,000 has been stable, while confidence among consumers earning more has declined.
“According to April’s write-in responses, elevated price levels, especially for food and gas, dominated consumer’s concerns, with politics and global conflicts as distant runners-up,” said Peterson.
Average 12-month inflation expectations remained stable at 5.3 percent in spite of concerns about food and energy prices.
The “Consumers’ Perceived Likelihood of a U.S. Recession Over the Next 12 Months” rose slightly in April but was below the May 2023 peak.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ current view of business and labor market conditions, fell to 142.9 in April from a downwardly revised 146.8 in March.
Consumers’ view of current business conditions was more optimistic in April, with the percentage of respondents who said current business conditions are “good” up at 21 percent from 19 percent in March, while those who said conditions are “bad” decreased to 17 percent from 18 percent.
Consumers’ view of the labor market, however, was more negative.
The percentage of respondents who felt jobs were plentiful was down to 40 percent from 42 percent, while 15 percent said jobs were “hard to get,” up from 12 percent in March.
Related stories will be right here …
It marks the third consecutive month of decline, reaching its lowest level since July 2022.
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index fell to 97 in April, down from a downwardly revised 103.1 in March.
“Despite these three months of weakness, the gauge continues to move sideways within a relatively narrow range that’s largely held steady for more than two years,” said 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,” said Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at the Conference Board.
Confidence declined among all age groups and income levels, except for the $25,000 to $49,999 bracket.
Consumers under 35 continued to show greater confidence than those over 35.
Households with incomes below $25,000 and those above $75,000 reported the largest drop in confidence.
Over a six-month basis, confidence for consumers earning less than $50,000 has been stable, while confidence among consumers earning more has declined.
“According to April’s write-in responses, elevated price levels, especially for food and gas, dominated consumer’s concerns, with politics and global conflicts as distant runners-up,” said Peterson.
Average 12-month inflation expectations remained stable at 5.3 percent in spite of concerns about food and energy prices.
The “Consumers’ Perceived Likelihood of a U.S. Recession Over the Next 12 Months” rose slightly in April but was below the May 2023 peak.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ current view of business and labor market conditions, fell to 142.9 in April from a downwardly revised 146.8 in March.
Consumers’ view of current business conditions was more optimistic in April, with the percentage of respondents who said current business conditions are “good” up at 21 percent from 19 percent in March, while those who said conditions are “bad” decreased to 17 percent from 18 percent.
Consumers’ view of the labor market, however, was more negative.
The percentage of respondents who felt jobs were plentiful was down to 40 percent from 42 percent, while 15 percent said jobs were “hard to get,” up from 12 percent in March.
The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions in the near future, fell to 66.4 from an upwardly revised 74 in March.
Notably, an Expectations Index reading below 80 often signals a recession ahead, said the Conference Board.
Expectations for the next six months slipped to the lowest level since July 2022, it said.
Looking at short-term business conditions, respondents’ outlooks were more pessimistic, with 13 percent of respondents expecting business conditions to improve, down from 14 percent in March.
The number of respondents that expect them to worsen was up to 20 percent from 19 percent.
Consumers’ assessment of the short-term labor market outlook in April was also more negative.
The percentage of respondents who expect more jobs to be available was down to 12 percent from 14 percent, while the number of respondents who expect fewer jobs to be available was up to 20 percent from 19 percent.
Consumers’ assessment of their short-term income prospects was also more pessimistic in April.
The number of respondents who expect their incomes to increase was down to 15 percent from 17 percent in March, while a flat 14 percent of respondents expect their incomes to decrease.
Consumers were also less optimistic about their family’s financial situation, both currently and over the next six months, a measure not included when calculating the Present Situation and Expectations Index.
Expectations that stock prices will increase over the year ahead declined slightly, after rising every month since November of last year, it said.
The percentage of consumers expecting higher interest rates in the year ahead rose again to 53.8 percent in April.
Plans to buy homes and big-ticket appliances, purchases that tend to be sensitive to interest rates, continued to soften.
Vacation plans, both within the U.S. and abroad, also declined to the lowest level since June 2023.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Surveys
The Latest
WatchesApr 10, 2026
These Watches Have Increased in Value the Most Since 2018, Says Chrono24The top-performing watch models may be surprising, with Rolex and several popular pandemic-era picks notably absent from the top 20.
CollectionsApr 10, 2026
Ophelia Eve’s Toggle Pendant Holds Your SecretsThe “Scroll” toggle pendant, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal a hidden message, mantra, or love letter written on washi paper.
ColumnistsApr 09, 2026
Jewelry Demand Isn’t Stronger, Prices Are Just Higher Jewelers who misinterpret the state of the jewelry market risk employing the wrong retail strategy, cautions columnist Sherry Smith.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
MajorsApr 09, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Promotes Nathalie Verdeille to SVP, Chief Artistic OfficerIn her newly expanded role, she will continue to oversee the jewelry category, as well as watches, home, and accessories.
Weekly QuizApr 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesApr 09, 2026
Jacob & Co. Rolls Out Its Sequel to ‘The Godfather’ Musical Watch“The Godfather II” watch plays two melodies from the mob film’s score, “The Godfather’s Waltz” and “The Godfather Love Theme.”
Events & AwardsApr 09, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerOrganizers have also introduced the new JCK Talks Signature Series, as well as an offering of watch-focused workshops and lectures.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
SourcingApr 09, 2026
AGA To Honor ‘Quiet Leadership’ With New AwardThe Alan Hodgkinson Medal recognizes gemologists who are consistently generous with their time and expertise.
WatchesApr 09, 2026
Oris Names New CEO, CFOThe Swiss watchmaker is changing up its executive leadership team as part of a restructuring.
CollectionsApr 08, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30 Years By Asking a QuestionThe “What’s Your Signature?” campaign invites women to think about how they see themselves.
SourcingApr 08, 2026
Sale of 42-Carat Blue Diamond Gives Petra a Boost in Q3The big diamond’s sale added to the company’s revenue though the market remains “challenging” overall, particularly for smaller goods.
Events & AwardsApr 08, 2026
AGS Confluence Returns with AI, Sustainability SessionsRob Bates of The Jewelry Wire will also moderate a panel on the state of the jewelry industry during the virtual event.
Events & AwardsApr 08, 2026
TJS to Honor 2 Longtime Former Stuller EmployeesThe Jewelry Symposium will honor two industry veterans with lifetime achievement awards at its upcoming May event.
TrendsApr 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: April’s Brilliant Birthstone With their durability, brilliance, and beauty, diamonds are the perfect stone for everyday birthstone jewelry.
MajorsApr 07, 2026
QVC Group’s Latest Filing Calls Its Future Into QuestionThe retailer failed to file its annual report on time and said it may issue a going concern warning.
ColumnistsApr 07, 2026
Peter Smith: A Tip to the Post Office on Workplace CultureSmith recounts a recent trip to the post office that included an uncomfortable, embarrassing, and public exchange between two employees.
GradingApr 07, 2026
GIA CFO David Tearle to Retire in June John Cowley, who has more than 30 years of experience, is succeeding Tearle as the lab’s chief financial officer.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Nerd Out Over Gemology Geek’s First Jewelry CollectionFounder Erica Silverglide has designed 35 colorful pieces set with fluorescing gemstones for the brand's first finished jewelry offering.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Ukrainian Jewelers Highlighted In New Book“Ukrainian Jewelry | Contemporary Jewelry and Art Jewelry from Ukraine” features 33 contemporary Ukrainian designers and studios.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
MajorsApr 06, 2026
Kecia Caffie, Corinne Bentzen No Longer With Signet JewelersSignet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
