The State of the Economy for April 2025
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C-SUITE PERSPECTIVES

The State of the Economy for April 2025

Consumer confidence declined for a fifth consecutive month in April. Learn how this could shape US and global economic growth this year.

Consumer confidence plunges to a 13-year low — is a recession next? 

 

Consumer confidence declined for a fifth consecutive month in April, to levels not seen since May 2020. With Americans’ spending comprising 70% of economic growth, what could their growing concerns mean for the US this year? 

 

Three specific expectation componentsbusiness conditions, employment prospects and future income – all dropped sharply, reflecting deep pessimism about the future. Crucially, the number of consumers expecting fewer jobs in the next six months was nearly as high as in April 2009, the middle of the “Great Recession.”Americans' concerns about the wider economy are bleeding into worries about their own personal situations.  

 

Dana Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center at The Conference Board, sits down with Stephanie Guichard, Senior Economist of Global Indicators, and Erik Lundh, Senior Global Economist to unpack how this could shape US and global economic growth this year. 

 

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The State of the Economy for April 2025

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Consumer confidence plunges to a 13-year low — is a recession next? 

 

Consumer confidence declined for a fifth consecutive month in April, to levels not seen since May 2020. With Americans’ spending comprising 70% of economic growth, what could their growing concerns mean for the US this year? 

 

Three specific expectation componentsbusiness conditions, employment prospects and future income – all dropped sharply, reflecting deep pessimism about the future. Crucially, the number of consumers expecting fewer jobs in the next six months was nearly as high as in April 2009, the middle of the “Great Recession.”Americans' concerns about the wider economy are bleeding into worries about their own personal situations.  

 

Dana Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center at The Conference Board, sits down with Stephanie Guichard, Senior Economist of Global Indicators, and Erik Lundh, Senior Global Economist to unpack how this could shape US and global economic growth this year. 

 

For more from The Conference Board: 

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C-Suite Perspectives

C-Suite Perspectives is a series hosted by our President & CEO, Steve Odland. This weekly conversation takes an objective, data-driven look at a range of business topics aimed at executives. Listeners will come away with what The Conference Board does best: Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead®.

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