US Consumer Confidence Index Rises Amid Middle East Conflict

New York (ANTARA) - The US Consumer Confidence Index rose in April 2026, despite increasing concerns over energy price spikes resulting from the Middle East conflict, according to data from The Conference Board on Tuesday (28/4). The US Consumer Confidence Index edged up slightly to 92.8 in April from the revised figure of 92.2 in March 2026. The Present Situation Index, which reflects consumers’ assessments of current business and labour market conditions, fell 0.3 points to 123.8. Meanwhile, the Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ short-term outlooks on income, business, and jobs, rose 1.2 points to 72.2. “Consumer confidence rose slightly in April but overall changed little, despite real concerns about rising petrol prices as the war in the Middle East triggers a surge in Brent crude oil prices. Consumers’ assessments of current and future business conditions saw a slight decline compared to last month. This was offset by a slight improvement in consumers’ perceptions of the labour market, both current and future, as well as income expectations, which were slightly more optimistic in April,” said Dana Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board. However, different data was shown by the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index, released on Friday (24/4). That report painted a more pessimistic picture, with the index dropping to 49.8 in April from 53.3 the previous month. That figure became the lowest on record in the survey’s more than 50-year history, even lower than the previous low of 50 recorded in June 2022 during high inflation. Previously, the preliminary April figure of 47.6 had already indicated significant weakening. Analysts say the Middle East war is beginning to exert serious pressure on global economies. “We are not predicting a recession yet, but this will hinder growth and raise inflation. However, accurately predicting what will happen next is futile,” said Carsten Brzeski, Global Macro Head at ING. These mixed consumer confidence figures come as markets continue to monitor diplomatic developments surrounding the Iran conflict, as well as the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, an issue that has driven up oil prices and contributed to rising inflationary pressures.