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 ... (full story)