UoM Consumer Sentiment Index Falls In April

According to the final version of the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment survey, the headline Consumer Sentiment Index for April came in at 65.2, a tad below the flash estimate released earlier in the month of 65.7.

Consumer exuberance can translate into greater spending and faster economic growth, implying a stronger labour market and a potential pick-up in inflation, helping turn the Fed hawkish.

This survey’s popularity among analysts (mentioned more frequently than CB Consumer Confidence) is justified because the data here includes interviews conducted up to a day or two before the official release, making it a timely measure of consumer mood, but foremost because it gauges consumer attitudes on financial and income situations. Actual figures beating consensus tend to be USD bullish.