US Consumers Still Confident, but Outlook Not as Rosy

U.S. consumer confidence bounced back in March and remains high, though consumers' short-term outlook is not quite as rosy.

The Conference Board, a business research group, said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index — which takes into account consumers’ assessment of current conditions and their outlook for the future — rose to 107.2 in March from 105.7 in February.

The board's present situation index, which measures consumers’ assessment of current business and labor conditions, also rose this month to 153 from 143 in February.

However, the expectations index, based on consumers’ six-month outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions, declined to 76.6 from 80.8 in February. Respondents cited higher prices — particularly gas prices — and the war in Ukraine as the biggest factors.

The proportion of people planning to purchase homes, automobiles, and major appliances over the next six months all fell as interest rates have risen, the Conference Board said.

The Federal Reserve raised its main borrowing rate by a quarter point earlier this month, the main mechanism for combatting inflation. But many economists say the Fed’s first rate hike in three years came too late.

Two weeks ago, the government reported that inflation at the consumer level soared over the past year at its highest rate in four decades. The 7.5% price surge ranged across the economy, from food and furniture to apartment rents, airline fares, and electricity.

There are signs that American consumers are curtailing their spending. After beginning the year in a buying mood, Americans slowed their spending in February on gadgets, home furnishings, and other discretionary items as higher prices for necessities — food, gasoline, and shelter — are helping erase any pay increases.

Retail sales increased just 0.3% last month after registering a revised 4.9% jump from December to January, fueled by wage gains, solid hiring, and more money in banking accounts, according to the Commerce Department.