While retail sales data released earlier in the day suggested that consumers continue to spend, Reuters and the University of Michigan released a separate report Friday morning showing a continued deterioration in consumer sentiment in March.
The report showed that the preliminary reading on the consumer sentiment index for March fell to 72.5 from February's final reading of 73.6. Economists had expected the index to edge up to a reading of 74.0.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.