University of Michigan Reports Preliminary Results of Its Consumer Sentiment Index for March

The University of Michigan on Friday (3-17-23) released the preliminary results of its Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) for March:

• The Index of Consumer Sentiment declined to a reading of 63.4 in March, down from 67.0 in February. This is a month-over-month decrease of 5.4% but up 6.7% year-over-year (59.4 in March 2022).
• The Current Economic Conditions fell to a reading of 66.4 in March, down from 70.7 in February. This is a month-over-month decline of 6.1% and down 1.2% year-over-year (67.2 in March 2022).
• The Index of Consumer Expectations declined to a reading of 61.5 in March, down from 64.7 in February. This is a month-over-month drop of 4.9% but up 13.3% year-over-year (54.3 in March 2022).

In remarks and analysis prepared to accompany the release of the CSI, Dr. Joanne Hsu, Director of Surveys for the University of Michigan, said:

“Consumer sentiment fell for the first time in four months, sitting about 5% below February but remaining 7% above a year ago. This month’s decrease was already fully realized prior to the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, at which time about 85% of our interviews for this preliminary release had been completed. Sentiment declines were concentrated among lower-income, less-educated, and younger consumers, as well as consumers with the top tercile of stock holdings. Overall, all components of the index worsened relatively evenly, primarily on the basis of persistently high prices, creating downward momentum for sentiment leading into the financial turmoil that began last week.

Year-ahead inflation expectations receded from 4.1% in February to 3.8%, the lowest reading since April 2021, but remain well above the 2.3–3.0% range seen in the two years prior to the pandemic. Long-run inflation expectations edged down to 2.8%, falling below the narrow 2.9–3.1% range for only the second time in the last 20 months. Long-run inflation expectations remain elevated relative to the 2.2–2.6% range seen in the two years pre-pandemic. With ongoing turbulence in the financial sector and uncertainty over the Fed’s possible policy response, inflation expectations are likely to be volatile in the months ahead.”