Summary
- The US consumer confidence index for March edged up to 91.8, but rising inflation expectations were said to have heightened concerns over the burden of higher prices.
- The 12-month inflation expectations rose to the highest level since August 2025, and the share expecting interest rates to rise expanded to 42.4% from 34.9%.
- The market was said to see higher oil prices due to the Iran war and the pass-through effects of tariffs being reflected in consumer inflation expectations.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
The US consumer confidence index edged higher, but a sharp rise in inflation expectations suggested growing concerns about the burden of higher prices.
According to BlockBeats, a media outlet specializing in virtual assets (cryptocurrencies), the Conference Board said the consumer confidence index for March rose 0.8 points month on month to 91.8 from 91.0.
The present situation index, which reflects perceptions of current business conditions, climbed 4.6 points to 123.3, while the expectations index, which gauges the outlook ahead, fell 1.7 points to 70.9, showing a mixed picture.
Dana Peterson, chief economist at the Conference Board, said, “An improved assessment of current economic conditions drove the overall index higher, but expectations for the future weakened somewhat,” adding that “overall, a gradual recovery in confidence is continuing.”
Inflation-related expectations, however, are rising quickly. The report said 12-month inflation expectations rose to the highest level since August 2025, and the share of respondents expecting interest rates to rise increased to 42.4% from 34.9%.
Meanwhile, the market is viewing rising oil prices stemming from the Iran war and the pass-through effects of tariffs as being reflected in consumer inflation expectations.
Minseung Kang
minriver@bloomingbit.ioBlockchain journalist | Writer of Trade Now & Altcoin Now, must-read content for investors.
