UMich: U.S. Consumer Sentiment at 4-Month Low


   
Barani Krishnan
DTN Refined Fuels Market Reporter

   SECAUCUS, NJ (DTN) -- U.S. consumer sentiment hit four-month lows in April, 
according to preliminary data on Friday (4/10) from the University of Michigan 
(UMich), which saw a 11% decline in its headline consumer index as the war in 
Iran upended U.S. energy prices.

   UMich's Index of Consumer Sentiment fell to 47.6 points in early April from 
its 53.3-point reading at end-March. Year-on-year, the index was down about 9% 
from its April 2025 reading of 52.2.

   "Demographic groups across age, income, and political party all posted 
setbacks in sentiment, as did every component of the index, reflecting the 
widespread nature of this month's fall," UMich's Surveys of Consumers Director 
Joanne Hsu said, adding that the decline began with the start of the Iran 
conflict on February 27.

   Separately, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday that U.S. 
headline inflation rose in March as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.3% 
year-on-year as energy costs surged from the war in Iran.

   The CPI reading marked the highest annual inflation rate in almost two years 
and was below the market expectation of a yearly CPI growth of 3.4% in March 
versus February's 2.4%.




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