UMich March prelim consumer sentiment 76.5 vs 76.9 expected

  • The first look at March 2024 US consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan
UMich
  • Prior was 76.9
  • Current conditions 79.4 vs 79.2 expected (prior was 79.4)
  • Expectations 74.6 vs 75.1 expected (prior was 75.2)
  • One-year inflation 3.0% vs 3.0% prior
  • Five-year inflation 2.9% vs 2.9% prior

These numbers are all close to expectations. The report said:

"Small improvements in personal finances were offset by modest declines in expectations for business conditions. After strong gains between November 2023 and January 2024, consumer views have stabilized into a holding pattern; consumers perceived few signals that the economy is currently improving or deteriorating. Indeed, many are withholding judgment about the trajectory of the economy, particularly in the long term, pending the results of this November’s election."

Last month's reading was the highest since 2021 so the dip is hardly catastrophic.

I find this data series to be largely useless and is more of an indication of the political mood and gas prices than spending.

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