US Consumer Confidence Continues to Decline Amid Job Market Concerns.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index fell to 101.3 in April from 104.0 in March, with the Expectations Index falling to 68.1 from 74.0. Consumer inflation expectations over the next 12 months remain unchanged from March at 6.2 percent. Purchasing plans for homes, autos, appliances, and vacations all pulled back in April, indicating consumers may be economizing amid growing pessimism. Consumers' assessment of current business conditions improved somewhat in April, while their expectations fell and remain below the level which often signals a recession looming in the short-term.