Consumer Sentiment in U.S. Unexpectedly Increased in March

Confidence among U.S. consumers unexpectedly increased in March from the prior month as Americans grew more optimistic about the outlook for the economy.

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan sentiment index advanced to a four-month high of 78.6, exceeding all estimates in a Bloomberg survey, from 77.6 in February. The median forecast was 72.6 after a preliminary March reading of 71.8.