Consumers More Optimistic in March

New York, NY, March 29, 2016 --  Consumer confidence improved in March, the Conference Board said.

The board's index now stands at 96.2, up from 94.0 in February. The Present Situation Index declined moderately from 115.0 to 113.5, while the Expectations Index increased from 79.9 to 84.7 in March.

"Consumers' assessment of current conditions posted a moderate decline, while expectations regarding the short-term turned more favorable as last month's turmoil in the financial markets appears to have abated," said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at The Conference Board.

"On balance, consumers do not foresee the economy gaining any significant momentum in the near-term, nor do they see it worsening."