The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index edged up by 0.8 points in March to 91.8 (1985=100), from 91.0 in February. The Present Situation Index – based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions – increased by 4.6 points to 123.3.
The Expectations Index – based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions – declined by 1.7 points to 70.9. The survey period for preliminary results was March 1 to 24, 2026. While not obvious in the headline or its component indexes, the weight of rising costs due to tariff passthrough and spiking oil prices was evident among other measures in the survey like inflation expectations.
“Consumer confidence ticked up again in March, as a modest improvement in consumers’ views of current conditions outweighed a slight downshift in expectations for the future,” said Dana M Peterson, chief economist, The Conference Board. “Three of five components of the Index firmed in March, and overall confidence improved modestly for a second month. Nonetheless, the Index has been on a general downward trend since 2021.”
Consumers’ plans to buy big-ticket items over the next six months shifted from “yes” and “maybe” in February, to “no” in March. Nonetheless, the proportion saying “yes” remained well above the other responses. Used cars, furniture, TVs, and smartphones remained the most popular items within their respective categories for future purchases. Among all expensive items, furniture persists as the top expected purchase.
Buying plans for autos continued rising on a six-month moving average basis in March, with used cars remaining the clear preference over new cars.
