Conference Board News Release (04/29/14)

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased in March, declined slightly in April. The Index now stands at 82.3, down from 83.9 in March. The Present Situation Index decreased to 78.3 from 82.5, while the Expectations Index was virtually unchanged at 84.9 versus 84.8 in March.

Consumers’ assessment of current conditions pulled back moderately in April. Those claiming business conditions are “good” edged down to 21.8% from 22.6%, while those claiming business conditions are “bad” rose to 24.4% from 23.5%. Consumers’ assessment of the labor market was also slightly more negative. Those stating jobs are “plentiful” declined to 12.9 percent from 13.8%, while those saying jobs are “hard to get” increased to 32.5% from 31.4%.