The University of Michigan's preliminary March consumer sentiment index reading was 79.9, compared to the final February 81.6, the preliminary February 81.2, and the final January 81.2, according to market sources.
The expectations index was 69.4, compared to 72.7 in February, 73.0 earlier in February, and 71.2 in January.
The current conditions index was 96.1, compared to 95.4 in February, 94.0 earlier in February, and 96.8 in January.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted an 82.0 reading for the main index, 95.8 for current conditions and 73.0 for expectations.
The five-year inflation expectation index was 2.9%, compared to 2.9% in February, while the one-year inflation expectation index was 3.2%, compared to 3.2% in February.
The University of Michigan index is not released to the press, but only to paying subscribers.
