SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysSurveysMay 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Inches Up in April Despite Rising Gas Prices
Respondents were concerned about the Middle East conflict and how it will impact their finances.
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose to 92.8 in April from an upwardly revised 92.2 in March.
New York—U.S. consumer confidence inched up slightly in April, but concerns about the conflict in the Middle East and rising gas prices persisted.
The Conference Board’s monthly Consumer Confidence Index increased to 92.8 in April from an upwardly revised 92.2 in March.
Notably, the survey period was April 1-22, which included the temporary two-week ceasefire in the Middle East conflict that began on April 8, and the rebound in U.S. equities that followed, said The Conference Board.
“Consumer confidence edged up in April but was overall little changed, despite material concern about rising gasoline prices as the war in the Middle East prompted a surge in Brent crude oil prices,” said Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board.
“Consumer appraisals of current and expected business conditions declined moderately compared to last month. This was offset by modest improvements in consumers’ perceptions of the labor market, both current and expected, as well as income expectations, which were slightly more optimistic in April.”
The Conference Board’s Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ current view of business and labor market conditions, slipped to 123.8 in April from an upwardly revised 123.5 in March.
Consumers were more pessimistic about current business conditions, while views on employment improved slightly.
The labor market differential—the share of consumers saying jobs are “plentiful” minus the share saying jobs are “hard to get”—rose slightly.
The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ outlook on income, business, and labor market conditions in the near future, rose to 72.2 in April from an upwardly revised 71 in March.
It marked the 15th consecutive month that expectations remained below the threshold of 80, a level which typically signals a recession is ahead, according to The Conference Board.
Expectations about the labor market and household income six months from now were up slightly, while views on business conditions were slightly more negative.
The percentage of respondents who said a U.S. recession over the next 12 months is “very likely” rose again, as did the number of those who believe the U.S. is already in one.
Notably, these measures are not included in calculating the Consumer Confidence Index.
Related stories will be right here …
The Conference Board’s monthly Consumer Confidence Index increased to 92.8 in April from an upwardly revised 92.2 in March.
Notably, the survey period was April 1-22, which included the temporary two-week ceasefire in the Middle East conflict that began on April 8, and the rebound in U.S. equities that followed, said The Conference Board.
“Consumer confidence edged up in April but was overall little changed, despite material concern about rising gasoline prices as the war in the Middle East prompted a surge in Brent crude oil prices,” said Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board.
“Consumer appraisals of current and expected business conditions declined moderately compared to last month. This was offset by modest improvements in consumers’ perceptions of the labor market, both current and expected, as well as income expectations, which were slightly more optimistic in April.”
The Conference Board’s Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ current view of business and labor market conditions, slipped to 123.8 in April from an upwardly revised 123.5 in March.
Consumers were more pessimistic about current business conditions, while views on employment improved slightly.
The labor market differential—the share of consumers saying jobs are “plentiful” minus the share saying jobs are “hard to get”—rose slightly.
The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ outlook on income, business, and labor market conditions in the near future, rose to 72.2 in April from an upwardly revised 71 in March.
It marked the 15th consecutive month that expectations remained below the threshold of 80, a level which typically signals a recession is ahead, according to The Conference Board.
Expectations about the labor market and household income six months from now were up slightly, while views on business conditions were slightly more negative.
The percentage of respondents who said a U.S. recession over the next 12 months is “very likely” rose again, as did the number of those who believe the U.S. is already in one.
Notably, these measures are not included in calculating the Consumer Confidence Index.
By demographic, confidence on a six-month moving average basis was down in April for consumers 35 and older, while younger consumers were a bit more confident.
Respondents under 35 remained the most optimistic, with Millennials and Gen Z seeing confidence improve, while those 55 and over were the least optimistic.
By income, confidence on a six-month moving average basis was mixed, but most income groups were more pessimistic in April.
By political affiliation, Republicans remained the most optimistic, while confidence was down for Independents and improved slightly for Democrats.
Consumers’ write-in responses were more pessimistic in April regarding the economy.
“Comments about prices, oil and gas, and war increased in frequency compared to March—a likely signal of consumers’ underlying worries about how the war in the Middle East will impact their pockets,” said The Conference Board.
Consumers’ average and median 12-month inflation expectations slipped in April, but remained elevated.
The percentage of consumers who expect interest rates over the next 12 months will be higher on net rose to nearly 50 percent.
Expectations for higher stock prices a year from now also were up.
Consumers’ views of their family’s current and future financial situations were more pessimistic in April.
While many consumers still plan to buy big-ticket items over the next six months, a rising number have shifted their answer from “yes” or “maybe” to “no.”
The most popular items include used cars, furniture, TVs, and smartphones.
As for spending on services, anticipated spending over the next six months fell for every category in April, except for pet care.
The top category for spending was still restaurants, bars, and take-out, followed by beauty and personal care, and then streaming, internet, and mobile services.
As for travel plans in the next six months, respondents continued to choose domestic destinations over international travel, though foreign travel plans did recover somewhat.
Expected spending on airfare and trains for personal travel was down again in April.
The Consumer Confidence survey results for May are scheduled to be released on May 26.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Surveys
The Latest
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
