The University of Michigan’s April 2025 consumer sentiment index shows a decline of more than 10% from March, marking the fourth consecutive monthly drop. . Overall consumer sentiment has fallen by over 30% since December 2024, according to the university’s Surveys of Consumers. The decline is attributed to rising concerns over economic conditions, including the perceived instability in trade policies and global economic relations described as "oscillating trade war developments.". Consumers reported negative outlooks across multiple indicators, including expectations for business conditions, personal finances, income growth, inflation, and job market stability. The University of Michigan’s Director of Surveys of Consumers, Joanne Hsu, stated that these compounding indicators elevate perceived risks of a potential recession. The survey results reflect broad-based anxiety among U.S. consumers, with economic policy uncertainty and declining real income growth contributing factors. . This sentiment downturn may influence spending behavior, as consumer sentiment is often a leading indicator for consumer-driven economic activity. The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index is widely monitored by economists, policymakers, and investors as a real-time gauge of public economic confidence.