US consumer confidence improved marginally in April, after a sharp fall last month, according to a closely watched survey published today.
The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index rose from 63.8% to 65.4% this month, as consumers felt the pinch from higher prices.
'Consumer confidence, which had declined sharply in March, posted a modest gain in April. Consumers' short-term outlook improved slightly,' said the board's Lynn Franco.
The index had fallen from 70.4% in February to 63.4% in March as Americans paid more for petrol at the pump.
'Inflation expectations, which had spiked, retreated somewhat in April,' Ms Franco said.
