U.S. Consumer Confidence Unexpectedly Surges to a 16-Year High

Consumer confidence jumped in March to the highest level in more than 16 years, as Americans grew increasingly upbeat about both present and future conditions, according to a report Tuesday from the New York-based Conference Board.

Optimism for faster economic growth since the election of President Donald Trump, along with rising stocks and steady labor-market gains, have helped push consumer sentiment to fresh highs. At the same time, confidence may be at risk of fading in the coming months should other parts of Trump’s agenda stall following last week’s failure of health-care legislation backed by the president and Republican leaders. The Conference Board figures reflect survey results through March 16.