Consumer sentiment hits lowest level since December as Americans begin feeling war's effects

Higher gas prices and stock market volatility stemming from the war in Iran weighed on Americans' views of the overall economy in March, according to new data from the University of Michigan. The Index of Consumer Sentiment showed sentiment ended March with a final reading of 53.3, marking a larger decline than the reading of 54 economists expected and the lowest reading in three months. Overall, consumer sentiment fell 5.8% from February and 6.5% from a year ago. Consumer sentiment had been gradually ...