Briefing.com: Mich Sentiment

Updated: 27-Mar-26 10:23 ET

March Univ. of Michigan Consumer Sentiment - Prelim

Updated: 27-Mar-26 10:23 ET

Highlights

The final reading of the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment for March fell to 53.3 (Briefing.com consensus: 55.5) from the preliminary reading of 55.5. The final reading for February was 56.6.
In the same period a year ago, the index stood at 57.0.

Key Factors

The Current Economic Conditions Index dropped to 55.8 from the preliminary reading of 57.8. The final reading for February was 56.6. In the same period a year ago, the index stood at 63.8.
The Index of Consumer Expectations dropped to 51.7 from the preliminary reading of 54.4. The final reading for February was 56.6. In the same period a year ago, the index stood at 52.6.
Year-ahead inflation expectations jumped to 3.8% from the preliminary reading of 3.4%. The final reading for February was 3.4%.
Long-run inflation expectations held at 3.2%. The final reading for February was 3.3%.

Big Picture

The key takeaway from the report is that it conveyed large drops in sentiment among consumers with middle and higher incomes, who were dealing with rising gas prices and falling stock prices in the wake of the Iran war.