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Economic Pulse: Week of 4/18/25

Consumer Sentiment Falls for the 4th month in a row

The Consumer Sentiment Index, the CSI, dropped 11% in April, marking the fourth straight month of decline. In 2025, overall confidence has plummeted by 31%. Expectations for the economy's future have dropped by 36% this year. According to the University of Michigan, concerns are rising across the board: Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike are increasingly worried about their finances, job security, inflation, and the broader business climate. Expected inflation over the next 12 months has increased to 6.7%, a significant change from 2.8% last December. It should be noted that the drop in optimism is across the political spectrum, with the independents’ assessment of the economy now more resembling the Democrats than before.

Click here for the latest Lehigh Valley Economic Review.

Listen to Economic Pulse Fridays at 5:44 PM during All Things Considered; Mondays at 7:30 AM during Morning Edition.

(Original air-date: 4/18/25)

Dr. Kamran Afshar is the host of the weekly WDIY feature Economic Pulse, and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Lehigh Valley Community Broadcasters Association as a Vice President.
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  • Despite a significant increase in grocery prices, inflation eased down in March. Dr. Kamran Afshar takes a look at this and more in his synopsis of this week's economic news and trends across the Lehigh Valley and nation.