Expectations fell across the board, but the decline was particularly prominent among middle-income families. Prices remain a top concern.

US consumer sentiment fell to one of the lowest readings on record and long-term inflation expectations climbed to the highest since 1991 on fears of the economic fallout from tariffs.

Consumer sentiment nosedived in April to the lowest level since the peak of the postpandemic inflation surge as President Trump’s trade battles shake the global economy. Sentiment dropped 8.4 percent from March to April and was down 32.