NMMA - National Marine Manufacturers Association Inc.
04/01/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/01/2026 08:21
Consumer Confidence Edges Higher, Outlook Reflects Growing Uncertainty
The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index increased 0.8 points in March to 91.8, marking a second consecutive month of modest improvement. The gain was driven by a 4.6-point increase in the Present Situation Index to 123.3, reflecting improved views of current business conditions, while labor market perceptions remained relatively stable.
The Expectations Index declined 1.7 points to 70.9, indicating increased concern about job prospects and income over the next six months. Inflation expectations also moved higher, reaching their highest level since August 2025. Survey responses suggest consumers anticipate rising prices and interest rates, while expectations for stock market gains declined.
Consumers showed some moderation in spending intentions. The share of respondents indicating plans to make major purchases shifted slightly away from "yes" and "maybe" toward "no," although overall purchase intent remains positive. Auto buying plans continued to trend upward on a six-month moving average basis, with a continued preference for used vehicles over new.
Homebuying expectations declined for both new and existing homes, consistent with rising interest rate expectations. Spending intentions eased across several categories, including vacations and international travel. Broader spending trends also reflect some softening. Retail sales declined 0.2% in January and were flat in February, indicating more cautious consumer activity heading into early 2026.
The divergence between current conditions and future expectations suggests consumers remain relatively stable today but are more uncertain about the near-term outlook. Rising inflation and interest rate expectations may influence consumer spending patterns in the months ahead.
NMMA will continue tracking consumer sentiment and its impact on the industry. Members are encouraged to leverage tools such as the Monthly Industry Data Summary and Marine Leadership Barometer to support planning and navigate evolving market dynamics.
For more economic updates and data-driven insights, visit nmma.org/statistics or contact the NMMA Business Intelligence team at [email protected].
This analysis was prepared by NMMA and Dr. Shawn DuBravac on behalf of NMMA.
NMMA - National Marine Manufacturers Association Inc. published this content on April 01, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 01, 2026 at 14:21 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]