Consumer confidence dropped for the third straight month in April — hitting its lowest level since July 2022, the Conference Board said Tuesday. Why it matters: Higher prices for food and gas weighed on the American mood. • Gas cost $3.49 a gallon on average in the U.S. this week, up from $3 at the beginning of the year, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The big picture: Though inflation has cooled from the highs of two years ago, it's reaccelerated over the past few months. By the numbers: The Conference Board survey found that people are feeling pretty good about where things stand at the moment. • A ... (full story)