US consumer confidence fell to 101.3 in April, the lowest level since July last year, according to market research expert Conference Board. This is lower than what market experts had counted on.
Americans over the age of 55 and households with annual incomes over $50,000 are especially grim. Consumers also expect market conditions for businesses to worsen over the next six months. Employment supply is also expected to decline.
Pessimism
Economists think the pessimism is easing pressure on the US central bank to raise interest rates further next week. This is the tenth consecutive increase in interest rates to bring inflation under control.