Consumer sentiment hits lowest level since December as Americans begin feeling war's effects

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Yahoo! Finance

Fri, March 27, 2026 at 11:12 AM EDT


Higher gas prices and stock market volatility stemming from the war in Iran weighed on Americans' views of the overall economy in March, according to new data from the University of Michigan.

The Index of Consumer Sentiment showed sentiment ended March with a final reading of 53.3, marking a larger decline than the reading of 54 economists expected and the lowest reading in three months. Overall, consumer sentiment fell 5.8% from February and 6.5% from a year ago.
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Consumer sentiment had been gradually improving in recent months, making the sudden downturn even more striking, the survey's director, Joanne Hsu, told Yahoo Finance. However, Hsu suggested that those views are subject to change depending on how long the conflict lasts.

"Consumers are really going to be reacting not just to the geopolitical shock itself, but really on what's happening throughout the economy," Hsu said. "If gas prices recover, if we don't see pass-through onto overall inflation, ... then consumer views on this will recover."

Read more: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/consumer-sentiment-hits-lowest-level-since-december-as-americans-begin-feeling-wars-effects-151203975.html

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Link to Consumer Sentiment REPORT - https://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/

[NewHendoLib]

1. What they are feeling is extreme maga fatigue and depression

[displacedvermoter]

2. How can anyone be confident about this economy?

This is another monthly reading that is absurd to me.

[progree]

3. Once it breaks below the December 2025 level, it will be the worst in 50+ years

Consumer Sentiment last 10 Years: https://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/files/chicsr.pdf



Once it breaks below the December 2025 level, it will be the worst in 50+years

Last 50 years --
https://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/files/chicsh.pdf