Torsten Asmus/iStock via Getty Images By Jennifer Nash The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index inched up again in March, rising 0.8 points to 91.8. The latest reading was higher than the forecast of 87.8 and is the highest level for the index so far this year. The Present Situation Index, which is based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions, rose 4.6 poi...
Torsten Asmus/iStock via Getty Images By Jennifer Nash The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index inched up again in March, rising 0.8 points to 91.8. The latest reading was higher than the forecast of 87.8 and is the highest level for the index so far this year. The Present Situation Index, which is based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions, rose 4.6 points to 123.3. Meanwhile, the Expectations Index, which is based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions, fell 1.7 points to 70.9. Note that a level of 80 or below for the Expectations Index historically signals a recession within the next year, and the index has been below 80 since February 2025. “Consumer confidence ticked up again in March, as a modest improvement in consumers’ views of current conditions outweighed a slight downshift in expectations for the future,” said Dana M Peterson, Chief Economist, The Conference Board . “Three of five components of the Index firmed in March, and overall confidence improved modestly for a second month. Nonetheless, the Index has been on a general downward trend since 2021.” Peterson added: “Consumers’ write-in responses on factors affecting the economy continued to skew towards pessimism. Comments about prices and the cost of goods suggest that the cost of living remained at the top of consumers’ minds. As the war in Iran overlapped significantly with the survey sample period, comments about oil/gas and war/conflict spiked, while specific mentions of trade and tariffs decreased notably.” Unsurprisingly given the Iran war oil shock, consumers’ average and median 12-month inflation expectations surged in March to levels last seen in August 2025, when US consumers awaited more tariff announcements from the US federal government. Consequently, the percentage of consumers stating that interest rates over the next 12 months will be higher on net skyrocketed from 34.9% to 42.4%. Expectations for ...
Soybeans posted 5 to 13 ½ cent gains across most contracts on Tuesday, led by the new crop months. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was up 8 ¼ cents at $10.95. Soymeal futures were up $1.10 to $2.50, with Soy Oil futures 14 to 41 points higher. NASS...
Soybeans posted 5 to 13 ½ cent gains across most contracts on Tuesday, led by the new crop months. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was up 8 ¼ cents at $10.95. Soymeal futures were up $1.10 to $2.50, with Soy Oil futures 14 to 41 points higher. NASS...
The wheat complex got a positive reaction to the USDA report on Tuesday, rallying across the three markets. Chicago SRW futures were 4 to 9 1/4 cents higher. KC HRW futures saw 3 to 9 1/4 cent gains though contracts were well off the middy highs. MPLS spring wheat was...
The wheat complex got a positive reaction to the USDA report on Tuesday, rallying across the three markets. Chicago SRW futures were 4 to 9 1/4 cents higher. KC HRW futures saw 3 to 9 1/4 cent gains though contracts were well off the middy highs. MPLS spring wheat was...