Consumer Sentiment Falls To Five-Month Low

Ann Arbor, MI, March 11, 2011 -- Consumer sentiment fell to its lowest level in five months in early March, according to the latest consumer survey from Thomson Reuters and the University of Michigan.

However, consumer spending plans were generally unchanged and the report does not indicate a renewed downturn on the horizon.

The preliminary March reading on the overall index on consumer sentiment came in at 68.2, down from 77.5 in February. That was the lowest level since October 2010 and lower than the median forecast of 76.5 among economists.