NEW YORK - The University of Michigan's preliminary March consumer sentiment index reading was 67.5, compared to the preliminary March 68.2, the final February 77.5, and the preliminary February 75.1, according to market sources.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted a 68.0 reading for the index.
The expectations index was 57.9, compared to 58.3 earlier in March, 71.6 in February, and 67.6 earlier in February.
The current conditions index was 82.5, compared to 83.6 earlier in March, 86.9 in February, and 86.8 earlier in February.
The five-year inflation expectation index was 3.2%, compared to 3.2% earlier in March, and 2.9% in February, while the one-year inflation expectation index was 4.6%, compared to 4.6% earlier in March, and 3.4% in February.
The University of Michigan index is not released to the press, but only to paying subscribers.
