Consumer reluctance to buy large household items ticked up in April

U.S. consumers in April remained sour on buying large household durables — an indicator of HVAC purchasing intent — according to data released Friday. 

What’s happening: In the University of Michigan’s popular consumer survey, when asked whether now is a good or bad time to buy ‘major household items,’ 32 percent of respondents — across all ages and income levels — said it was a good time during the month. 

• That’s up slightly from 29 percent in December 2025 but unchanged since January. 
• Meanwhile, the share of respondents who felt it was a bad time to buy in April stood at 66 percent, its highest reading this year. The remaining two percent of consumers said they were uncertain. 

Zoom out: The survey’s headline index, which measures broader consumer sentiment, in May hit an all-time low, according to Friday’s release. 

What they’re saying: “Consumer sentiment fell for the third straight month as supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to boost gasoline prices,” Joanne Hsu, the university’s survey director, said in a statement. 

• “Sentiment is now just below the previous historical trough seen in June 2022,” she added. “The cost of living continues to be a first-order concern, with 57 percent of consumers spontaneously mentioning that high prices were eroding their personal finances, up from 50 percent last month.”