Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Economic Watch: Consumer Confidence Lowest Since December

A measure of U.S. consumer confidence fell in April, its biggest drop since October 2013 and the lowest level in four months.

Evan Lockridge
Evan LockridgeFormer Business Contributing Editor
April 28, 2015
Economic Watch: Consumer Confidence Lowest Since December

Photo: Revisorweb via Wikimedia Commons

2 min to read


Photo: Revisorweb via Wikimedia Commons

A measure of U.S. consumer confidence fell in April, its biggest drop since October 2013 and the lowest level in four months.

The private research group, The Conference Board, reported on Tuesday its Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased in March, fell to 95.2 in April, down from 101.4 the month before.

Ad Loading...

“Consumer confidence, which had rebounded in March, gave back all of the gain and more in April,” said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at The Conference Board. “This month’s retreat was prompted by a softening in current conditions, likely sparked by the recent lackluster performance of the labor market, and apprehension about the short-term outlook.”

The Present Situation Index decreased from 109.5 last month to 106.8 in April, its third straight monthly drop. “Coupled with waning expectations, there is little to suggest that economic momentum will pick up in the months ahead,” said Franco.

The Expectations Index declined from 96 last month to 87.5 in April.

Ad Loading...

The survey showed consumers’ appraisal of current-day conditions continued to soften with those saying business conditions are “good” edging down from 26.7% to 26.5%. However, those claiming business conditions are “bad” also decreased from 19.4% to 18.2%.

Consumers were less favorable in their assessment of the job market. Those stating jobs are “plentiful” declined from 21% to 19.1% while those claiming jobs are “hard to get” rose from 25.5% to 26.4%.

Consumers’ optimism about the short-term outlook, which had rebounded in March, retreated in April. The percentage of consumers expecting business conditions to improve over the next six months decreased from 16.8% to 16%, while those expecting business conditions to worsen increased from 8.1% to 9.4%.

“Amid an uncertain economic environment plagued by declining business investment and hiring, stagnant wage momentum, and heightened uncertainty surrounding the sustainability of the U.S. recovery, the average American is becoming increasingly concerned,” said Lindsey Piegza, chief economist at the investment banking firm Sterne Agee. “Wednesday’s report of expectantly minimal growth across the first three months will likely justify this morning's marked decline in confidence.”

More Fleet Management

Illustration of a chalkboard with a hand drawing an arrow curving away from a partially erased straight arrow with the words "Embracing Change," the Heavy Duty Trucking Logo and the "cover feature" graphic.
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeAugust 1, 2026

How Innovative Trucking Leaders Turn Change Into an Advantage

As the pace of change accelerates in trucking, the fleets that adapt best have more than the latest technology. They have cultures that embrace improvement.

Read More →
Illustration of past due invoices with red X on top with background of a truck at a loading dock
Fleet ManagementJuly 27, 2026

Freight Broker Bonds Just Got Harder to Get. Here's What That Means for Your Fleet.

When it gets harder for a freight broker to prove they are financially sound, the ones who cannot clear that bar get pushed out of the market. And those are exactly the brokers who used to leave motor carriers holding the bag.

Read More →
Photo of cable bridge crossing Detroit River
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 23, 2026

Long-Awaited Canadian Border Bridge to Open in Detroit

For trucking, the bridge opening should offer immediate improvements in efficiency and reliability, with new customs facilities, expanded inspection capacity, and direct freeway-to-freeway connections.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Blue International heavy-duty truck with Aurora driverless truck software coming head-on on an interstate highway
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJuly 22, 2026

Aurora Rolls Out Next Generation of Driverless Trucks for Commercial Freight

Aurora's latest autonomous trucks it's rolling out with International feature lower-cost hardware designed for a million miles as the company expands commercial driverless freight operations across the U.S. Sun Belt.

Read More →
American Trucking Associations for-hire tonnage graph
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 21, 2026

Freight Tonnage Down, Rates up, as Lower Capacity Powers Trucking Recovery

The recovery from the freight recession continues to be driven by reduction in capacity rather than by increased demand.

Read More →
Cyberstop column header depicting images of ChatGPT prompt on a smartphone and shadowy hooded figure
Fleet Managementby Ben WilkensJuly 17, 2026

Think Your Trucking Fleet Isn't Using Much AI? Think Again

Shadow AI — the use of unauthorized artificial intelligence tools at work — is becoming increasingly common, putting sensitive company data at risk. Learn how trucking fleets can protect sensitive data while embracing AI.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of semi trucks with Panther, ArcBest, and ABF trailers backed up to docks, with ArcBest logo superimposed on top
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 17, 2026

ArcBest Consolidates Brands, Cuts Workforce

The company will bring three business units under the ArcBest brand, eliminate about 2% of positions, and expects the changes to generate $40 million in annual savings.

Read More →
Cover of ATRI operational costs study with graph clip art and photo of trucks on highway in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 15, 2026

Trucking Fleets Faced Record Operating Costs During Third Year of Freight Recession

ATRI's annual operational cost report shows carriers trimmed fleets, delayed equipment purchases, and ran older trucks as expenses continued to outpace freight rates.

Read More →
Micheline AI Assistant.

Michelin Adds AI Assistant to MyConnectedFleet Platform

Michelin’s new generative AI tool delivers instant fleet insights, helping managers analyze fuel use, tire maintenance, vehicle status, and operational performance without manually creating reports.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
LytxOne Platform.

LytxOne Platform Now Features AI, Compliance, and Asset Tracking Tools

New enhancements add AI-powered insights, asset tracking, compliance automation, and configurable privacy controls to Lytx's all-in-one fleet management platform.

Read More →