Gallup's Economic Confidence Index Retreats In April

Americans' confidence in the economy retreated in April, with Gallup's Economic Confidence Index averaging minus 14 for the month, down from minus 10 in March. The April average ties with September 2015 as numerically the worst since confidence started climbing toward positive territory in late 2014 and early 2015 after gas prices began to decline. The high point in confidence occurred in January 2015 when the monthly index averaged plus 3, while the low point was minus 60 in October 2008.

Since March 2015, Americans have been more upbeat about the current state of the economy than about the direction in which it is headed. In late 2014 and early 2015, as gas prices dropped, the two ratings were generally similar. In April, 24 percent of Americans rated current economic conditions as "excellent" or "good," while 30 percent said they were "poor," resulting in a current conditions score of minus 6. At the same time, 37 percent said the economy was "getting better" and 58 percent said it was "getting worse," for an economic outlook score of minus 21. The gap between the two ratings ties as the largest in the past year.