RCM/TIPP US Confidence Gauge Declines in March

Consumer Confidence Dips Again in March

In March, Americans' confidence in the economy slipped further, with the RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index—an early monthly gauge of U.S. consumer sentiment—falling to 47.5 from February's 48.8. This 1.3-point (2.7%) decline marks the seventh month in a row that the index has stayed below the neutral threshold of 50, signaling ongoing pessimism among consumers. The latest figure is 3.3% lower than the 302-month historical average of 49.1, highlighting that optimism remains slightly beneath its typical level. While investor sentiment saw a modest decrease of 0.3% to 59.6, confidence among non-investors dropped more significantly by 6.4%.