The State of the Economy for April 2026

Consumer confidence has ticked up slightly from March but remains low, and the global economic outlook has been downgraded for a second time.    The growing impact of tariffs, inflation and ongoing war is extending to consumers' expectations for their incomes, job prospects and overall confidence in the economy. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® edged up by 0.6 points to 92.8 (1985=100) in April, from 92.2 in March's upwardly revised reading.    The Present Situation Index — based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions — retreated, while the Expectations Index — based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions — rose. <span class= "EOP SCXW162507043 BCX0" data-ccp-props= "{"201341983":0,"33555