The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index dropped -7.9 pts to 86.0 in April, marking the fifth consecutive monthly decline and coming in below expectations of a smaller drop to 87.5.

• The Expectations Index dropped to a 13-year low of 54.4, a decline of -12.5 pts.
• The Present Situation Index edged down -0.9 pts to 133.5, as views on job availability weakened (jobs "plentiful" down to 31.7% from 33.6%).
• Expectations for business conditions worsened, with 34.8% expecting deterioration (up from 26.1%) and only 15.7% expecting improvement.
• Labor market outlook darkened: 32.1% expect fewer jobs (up from 28.8%), nearly matching April 2009 levels.
• Income expectations turned negative for the first time in five years: 18.2% expect a decrease vs. 15.0% expecting an increase.
• Inflation expectations rose to 7%, while tariff concerns surged to record levels in consumer responses.