Consumer Confidence Still Near One-Year High

New York, NY, March 27, 2012 -- Consumer confidence in March remained close to the highest level in a year, according to the Conference Board.

The research group's confidence index dropped to 70.2 from a revised 71.6 reading in February that was higher than initially reported.

The median forecast of economists called for a decrease to 70.

The improving employment picture, and the rising stock market, are helping buoy confidence despite rising gasoline prices.