The first look at March 2024 US consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan • Prior was 76.9 • Current conditions vs 79.2 expected (prior was 79.4) • Expectations vs 75.1 expected (prior was 75.2) • One-year inflation 3.0% vs 3.0% prior • Five-year inflation 2.9% vs 2.9% prior • These numbers are all close to expectations. The report said: "Small improvements in personal finances were offset by modest declines in expectations for business conditions. After strong gains between November 2023 and January 2024, consumer views have stabilized into a holding pattern; consumers perceived few signals that the ... (full story)

The Consumer Sentiment Index in the United States observed a monthly decline of 0.5% in March, the University of Michigan said in its preliminary report published on Friday. Year-on-year, the figure jumped by 23.4%. The Current Economic Conditions remained stable at 79.4. Compared to the same month in 2023, it soared by 19.8%. The Index of Consumer Expectations decreased by 0.8% month-on-month. On an annual basis, it surged by 26.0%. "After strong gains between November 2023 and January 2024, consumer views have stabilized into a holding pattern; consumers perceived few signals that the economy is currently ... (full story)