NEW YORK, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 55.5 in March 2026, according to a preliminary reading released Friday by the University of Michigan (UM) Surveys of Consumers, down from the final reading of 56.6 in February 2026.

The preliminary reading of the Current Economic Conditions Index rose to 57.8 in March, up from the final reading of 56.6 in February but below last March's 63.8. The Index of Consumer Expectations was 54.1, down from the final reading of 56.6 in February but higher than last March's 52.6.

The consumer sentiment dipped about 2 percent in March, reaching its lowest reading in 2026. A broad swath of consumers across incomes, age, and political affiliation all reported declines in expectations for their personal finance, down 7.5 percent nationally.

Year-ahead inflation expectations ended six months of consecutive declines, stalling at 3.4 percent. The current reading exceeds those seen in 2024 and remains above the 2.3-3 percent range seen in the two years before the pandemic. ■