U.S. consumer confidence in April 2008 plunged to its lowest level in 26 years, suggesting American adults are becoming more concerned about the near-term health of the U.S. economy as it slides into its first recession in six years.

The Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers said its index of confidence fell to 62.6 in April 2008 from 69.5 in March 2008, and 70.8 in February 2008, Reuters reported Friday. Last year the index averaged 85.6.

It was the index's lowest reading since March 1982's 62.0, which also was a recession year for the U.S. economy.

Economists surveyed by Bloomberg News had predicted that the April 2008 index would fall to 63.2.

'A great deal of concern'

Economist Glen Langan told BloggingStocks Friday the April 2008 consumer sentiment index is a decidedly negative reading. "It indicates concern about the slowdown has permeated the public. Negative sentiment is working its way through the real economy. Consumers are expressing a great deal of concern about high gasoline, oil and food prices, the job situation, and the uncertain economic landscape," Langan said. "It's a real harbinger because consumer activity is key to U.S. economic growth, accounting for about 65% of GDP."

Langan said the United States is almost certainly in recession. "If the nation isn't in a recession, we'll record nil growth, maybe 0.2% or 0.3%, in the first quarter," he said.

Langan added that there's a 50-60% chance the U.S. will remain in recession after Q2 2008.