The University of Michigan's preliminary March consumer sentiment index reading was 97.6, compared to the final February 96.3, and the preliminary February 95.7, according to market sources.
The expectations index was 86.7, compared to the final February 86.5, and the preliminary February 85.7.
The current conditions index was 114.5, compared to the final February 111.5, and the preliminary February 111.2.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted a 97.0 reading for the main index.
The five-year inflation expectation index was 2.2%, compared to 2.5% in February, while the one-year inflation expectation index was 2.4%, compared to 2.7% in February.
The University of Michigan index is not released to the press, but only to paying subscribers.
