The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell sharply to 53.3 in March 2026, down from the preliminary estimate of 55.5 and below February’s 56.6. This places sentiment near record lows observed at the end of 2025, with declines spanning all age groups and political affiliations. Households with middle and higher incomes, as well as those with stock wealth, experienced the steepest drops in confidence. The downturn reflects the impact of rising gas prices and financial market volatility, both exacerbated by the ongoing Iran conflict. The short-term economic outlook plunged 14%, while expectations for personal finances over the next year dropped 10%. However, long-term expectations saw only modest declines, hinting that consumers may not anticipate the current challenges to persist indefinitely. Year-ahead inflation expectations rose to 3.8%, the largest monthly increase since April 2025, while long-term expectations edged down to 3.2%. source: University of Michigan

Consumer Confidence in the United States decreased to 53.30 points in March from 56.60 points in February of 2026. Consumer Confidence in the United States averaged 84.60 points from 1952 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 111.40 points in January of 2000 and a record low of 50.00 points in June of 2022. This page provides the latest reported value for - United States Consumer Sentiment - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United States Michigan Consumer Sentiment - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.

Consumer Confidence in the United States decreased to 53.30 points in March from 56.60 points in February of 2026. Consumer Confidence in the United States is expected to be 53.50 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United States Michigan Consumer Sentiment is projected to trend around 58.00 points in 2027 and 62.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-13 02:00 PM
Michigan Consumer Sentiment Prel
Mar 55.5 56.6 55 55
2026-03-27 02:00 PM
Michigan Consumer Sentiment Final
Mar 53.3 56.6 54 53.5
2026-04-10 02:00 PM
Michigan Consumer Sentiment Prel
Apr 53.3

Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Michigan 5 Year Inflation Expectations 3.20 3.30 percent Mar 2026
Michigan Consumer Expectations 51.70 56.60 points Mar 2026
Michigan Current Conditions 55.80 56.60 points Mar 2026
Michigan Inflation Expectations 3.80 3.40 percent Mar 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Michigan Consumer Sentiment 53.30 56.60 points Mar 2026


United States Michigan Consumer Sentiment
The Index of Consumer Expectations focuses on three areas: how consumers view prospects for their own financial situation, how they view prospects for the general economy over the near term, and their view of prospects for the economy over the long term. Each monthly survey contains approximately 50 core questions, each of which tracks a different aspect of consumer attitudes and expectations. The samples for the Surveys of Consumers are statistically designed to be representative of all American households, excluding those in Alaska and Hawaii. Each month, a minimum of 500 interviews are conducted by telephone.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
53.30 56.60 111.40 50.00 1952 - 2026 points Monthly
1966Q1=100, NSA

News Stream
US Consumer Sentiment Revised Lower in March
The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell sharply to 53.3 in March 2026, down from the preliminary estimate of 55.5 and below February’s 56.6. This places sentiment near record lows observed at the end of 2025, with declines spanning all age groups and political affiliations. Households with middle and higher incomes, as well as those with stock wealth, experienced the steepest drops in confidence. The downturn reflects the impact of rising gas prices and financial market volatility, both exacerbated by the ongoing Iran conflict. The short-term economic outlook plunged 14%, while expectations for personal finances over the next year dropped 10%. However, long-term expectations saw only modest declines, hinting that consumers may not anticipate the current challenges to persist indefinitely. Year-ahead inflation expectations rose to 3.8%, the largest monthly increase since April 2025, while long-term expectations edged down to 3.2%.
2026-03-27
US Consumer Sentiment Falls Amid Iran Conflict Concerns
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 55.5 in March 2026, down from 56.6 in February but slightly above market expectations of 55, according to preliminary data. The reading marked the lowest level in three months, as households reacted to the military conflict involving the US and Iran. Higher gasoline prices had the most immediate effect on consumers, although the broader pass-through to other prices remains uncertain. A wide range of respondents across income groups, age brackets, and political affiliations reported weaker expectations for their personal finances, which fell 7.5% nationwide. Year-ahead inflation expectations held at 3.4%, ending six months of declines, while long-term expectations edged down to 3.2% from 3.3%. The survey was conducted between February 17 and March 9, with survey director Joanne Hsu noting sentiment weakened and inflation expectations rose following the start of the US military conflict with Iran on February 28.
2026-03-13
US Consumer Sentiment Revised Slightly Lower
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index was revised down to 56.6 in February 2026 from a preliminary 57.3, little changed from January’s 56.4. Still, it marked the highest reading since August 2025, following historically weak levels in recent months. All major components showed minimal movement, suggesting consumers see little change in economic conditions from the prior month. About 46% of respondents cited high prices as a strain on personal finances, with that share remaining above 40% for seven consecutive months. Perceptions varied notably across groups: sentiment improved among large stockholders but declined among households without equities. Similarly, higher-income and college-educated consumers reported gains, while lower-income and less-educated respondents did not. On inflation, one-year expectations dropped sharply to 3.4% from 4.0%, the lowest since January 2025, while longer-term expectations were unchanged at 3.3%.
2026-02-20