Original Source
US Consumer Sentiment Worsens in March Amid 'US-Iran War' Impact
US Consumer Sentiment Declines in March
US consumer sentiment deteriorated in March, largely influenced by the US-Iran war and the subsequent rise in oil prices. The University of Michigan reported on the 13th (local time) that its consumer sentiment index for March stood at 55.5, a 1.1-point decrease from 56.6 in the previous month. This reflects a diminished confidence among American consumers regarding the overall economy.
War's Impact on Index Fluctuations
Breaking down the sub-indices, the current economic conditions index showed a slight improvement, rising from 56.6 in February to 57.8 in March. However, the consumer expectations index, which gauges future outlook, worsened from 56.6 to 54.1 during the same period, dragging down the overall sentiment index. Joan Shu, director of the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index survey, explained that "surveys completed before the Iran attack showed an improvement in sentiment compared to the previous month, but responses collected over the subsequent nine days showed a deterioration that completely offset the initial improvement." This suggests that the US-Iran war had a negative impact on consumers' economic outlook.
*Source: 연합뉴스 (2026-03-13)*
