Consumer Confidence Decreases in April

Consumer confidence decreased in April with declining levels in comfort in select areas and increased comfort in others, according to Numerator. The April Consumer Confidence Score was 55.1, down 1.4 points since March. The score is an average of how consumers feel about the job market, their household finances, and their spending comfort levels.

The Numerator Consumer Sentiment Tracker provides a monthly view of consumer confidence, spending and saving considerations, and future financial outlook. Here's the latest:

• 33% of consumers think it's very or somewhat difficult to find employment in the current job market, up from last month and last year.
• 47% of consumers say their household's financial situation is currently good or very good (-3 points).
• 39% of consumers are very or somewhat comfortable spending money on discretionary purchases right now (-3 points).
• Consumers with spare cash say they're putting it in savings (37%) and paying down debts (33%). In addition, 12% of consumers say they do not have any spare cash.
• 27% of consumers say they will use spare cash to vacation or travel, down 1.5 points from March.
• To save money, consumers are cooking at home (40%), shopping for items on sale (39%), and using coupons/discount codes (38%).
• 34% of consumers say they are spending less overall.
• The April Financial Outlook Score was 50.1 (-1.9 vs. March), as consumers express mediocre feelings about their future finances. Thinking about one year from now, 26% think their finances will be better than they are now (-2 points), 48% think they'll be the same (-1 point), and 26% think they'll be worse (+2 points).