Consumer Confidence Index Down 8.6% in March

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased in February, declined in March. The Index now stands at 63.4 (1985=100), down from 72 in February. The Present Situation Index improved to 36.9 from 33.8. The Expectations Index decreased to 81.1 from 97.5 last month.“The sharp decline in confidence was prompted by a sharp decline in expectations,” said Lynn Franco, director of