Consumer confidence in the United States fell in March compared to February, the University of Michigan said in a report on Friday. The consumer confidence index decreased by 5.8% on a monthly basis and 6.5% annually, more than analysts predicted. The current conditions indicator declined by 1.4% and 12.5% to 55.8, respectively, while the expectations index lost 8.7% from February and 1.7% compared to March 2025, landing at 55.8. "Consumers with middle and higher incomes and stock wealth, buffeted by both escalating gas prices and volatile financial markets in the wake of the Iran conflict, exhibited ... (full story)