Consumers Less Confident In April After Slowdown In Hiring

Consumers confidence fell in April, reflecting a slowdown in hiring and dimmer expectations about economic growth in the months ahead. The consumer confidence index dropped to 95.2 from a revised 101.4 in March, touching the lowest level since December, the Conference Board said Tuesday. Economists polled by MarketWatch had projected the index to total 102.5. The present situation index, a measure of current conditions, slid to 106.8 from 109.5. The future expectations index declined to 87.5 from 96, marking the lowest level since September. "The present situation Index declined for the third consecutive month. Coupled with waning expectations, there is little to suggest that economic momentum will pick up in the months ahead," said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at board.