NEW YORK - The University of Michigan's final March consumer sentiment index reading was 73.6, compared to the preliminary March 72.5 reading, the final February 73.6, the preliminary February 73.7 reading, and the final January 74.4, according to market sources.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted a 73.0 reading for the index.
The expectations index was 67.9, compared to 67.2 earlier this month, 68.4 in February, 66.9 earlier in February, and 70.1 in January.
The current conditions index was 82.4, compared to 80.8 earlier this month, 81.8 in February, 84.1 earlier in February, and 81.1 in January.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted an 81.5 reading for the current conditions index and 67.2 for the expectations index.
The five-year inflation expectation index was 2.7%, compared to 2.8% earlier in the month, 2.7% last month, and 2.9% in January, while the one-year inflation expectation index was 2.7%, compared to 2.7% earlier in the month, 2.8% in February, and 2.8% in January.
The University of Michigan index is not released to the press, but only to paying subscribers.
