The two primary monthly gauges of American consumers’ economic mood posted mixed results in April, as anxiety over the war in Iran continued to weigh on household spending.
The Conference Board said on Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index slightly improved this month, climbing 0.6 points to 92.8. The March reading was also revised higher, to 92.2 from the previously reported 91.8. A reading above 100 generally indicates consumer optimism, while a reading below 100 suggests pessimism.
“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,” Dana Peterson, The Conference Board’s chief economist, said in a statement….