Americans' dour economic mood in the face of the high inflation rate may be beginning to thaw, the April IBD/TIPP Poll finds. The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index, an early monthly read on consumer confidence, jumped 4.5 points to 45.5, bouncing from March's eight-year low to the highest level of 2022. Still, pessimism maintained its grip for an eighth straight month. Readings above the neutral 50 level reflect optimism. While economic confidence may have bottomed in March, as gas prices spiked following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the news still isn't great. Household financial stress hit the highest level since ... (full story)