The Expectations Index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—dropped 9.6 points to 65.2, the lowest level in 12 years and well below the threshold of 80 that usually signals a recession ahead.
*17.1% of consumers expected business conditions to improve, down from 20.8% in February.27.3% expected business conditions to worsen, up from 25.5%. *&16.7% of consumers expected more jobs to be available, down from 18.8% in February.28.5% anticipated fewer jobs, up from 26.6% in February *&16.3% of consumers expected their incomes to increase, down from 18.8% in February.15.5% expected their income to decrease, up from 12.8%.
