By Ovunc Kutlu
ISTANBUL (AA) - US consumer sentiment remained almost steady in March, according to preliminary results from the University of Michigan's consumer survey released Friday.
The index of consumer sentiment fell just 0.4 points to 76.5 in March, from 76.9 in February.
The market expectation for the index was to come in at 77.1.
"Small improvements in personal finances were offset by modest declines in expectations for business conditions," Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu said in a statement.
"After strong gains between November 2023 and January 2024, consumer views have stabilized into a holding pattern; consumers perceived few signals that the economy is currently improving or deteriorating," she added.