1.   There were some gainers among retailers, whose stocks have already been battered by repeated reports of slipping consumer confidence.

2.   Also today, the Conference Board reported consumer confidence slipped in April for the third consecutive month.

3.   Analysts also attributed the decline to a report showing slipping consumer confidence.

4.   Private economists, however, were more cautious, saying that danger signs such as slipping business confidence were clouding the outlook.

5.   The only components that subtracted growth were prices of raw materials, more rapid business delivery times that signal declining demand and slipping consumer confidence.

6.   The only components pulling the barometer down were falling prices of raw materials, more rapid business delivery times that signal declining demand and slipping consumer confidence.

7.   Today, the Conference Board reported consumer confidence slipped in April for the third consecutive month.