US consumer sentiment tops estimates in March to hit nearly 3-yr high, UMich says

Reuters

Published Mar 28, 2024 10:27AM ET

(Reuters) - U.S. consumer sentiment rose unexpectedly in March to the highest in nearly three years thanks in part to growing confidence that inflation will keep softening.

The University of Michigan's benchmark Consumer Sentiment Index rose to a final reading for the month of 79.4, the highest since July 2021, from February's 76.9. It topped consensus estimates of 76.5 in a Reuters poll of economists, which had been the same as the preliminary March estimate released two weeks ago.