Consumer Confidence Holding Firm

Lack of wage gains and the exaggerated political climate have yet to dent consumer spirits as consumer confidence is holding firm, at a solid 96.2 in March. An initial drop in February had raised concerns but less so now, not only following the gain in March but also with a 1.8 point upward revision to February to a more respectable 94.0.

A negative in the March data is the closely watched jobs-hard-to-get subcomponent which isn't pointing to strength for Friday's employment report, rising a very sharp 3.0 percentage points to 26.6 percent. An offset, however, is a 2.6 percentage point rise in those describing jobs as plentiful to 25.4 percent. Another offset is the consumer's 6-month outlook on the jobs market with slightly more seeing jobs opening up and slightly fewer seeing less jobs ahead. The future income assessment is stable and favorable as are the assessments of business conditions.

Buying plans are mixed with autos down but with housing stable and appliances up. Inflation expectations are steady at 4.7 percent which is very subdued for this reading, one that won't please Federal Reserve policy makers who are trying to pull inflation higher.

This report isn't gangbusters but it is solid and should help take the edge off of yesterday's disappointing data on personal spending.

Recent History Of This Indicator:
The consumer confidence index is expected to bounce nearly 2 points higher in March to 94.0, a respectable level but down from brief peaks over 100 last year. Job and income expectations have been holding up well in this report though buying plans fell sharply in the February report. Inflation expectations, which may go up based on this month's rise in pump prices, are a chief concern right now for Federal Reserve policy makers.