During troubling economic news framed by the war in Iran and ongoing tariff uncertainty, consumers are expressing renewed confidence in the nation’s overall business and labor market conditions.
According to a new report issued by the non-profit Conference Board, overall consumer confidence was up by nearly 5 points, although expectations for where things are heading in the months ahead remain clearly tentative.
The March consumer confidence figures, said Dana Pater, chief economist with the Conference Board, represents a “modest improvement in consumers’ views of current conditions.” Those views “outweighed a slight downshift in expectations for the future.”
The overall Consumer Confidence Index from last month stood at 91.8, up from exactly 91 in February. The Present Situation Index, meanwhile, was up by 4.6 points for a final reading of 123.3.
From a demographic perspective, members of Generation Z have generally been the most optimistic about the economy, although their numbers slipped in the last two months. Baby Boomers were also somewhat more pessimistic, while members of the Millennial Generation, aged 30 to 45 years old, expressed increased confidence.
Two separate income groups – those earning between $25,000 and $35,000, and those above $125,000 – indicated a more optimistic take on where the economy may be heading. All other income groups felt less so.
Aligning with previous survey results, the greatest number of respondents said that when it comes to spending in the weeks ahead, they will most likely be putting their dollars down at restaurants or bars, followed by paying for internet services, and beauty and personal care.
The smallest segment of respondents expected to be spending money on pet care and motor vehicle services.
The New York-based Conference Board was founded in 1916 and compiles comprehensive economic surveys for a clientele largely made up of Fortune 500 companies.
April 2, 2026
By Garry Boulard
