Consumer Sentiment in U.S. Rises on Views of Current Finances

Consumer sentiment rose in March as Americans registered sunnier views about the state of their finances while becoming less upbeat about the long-term economic outlook, University of Michigan survey data showed Friday.

Sentiment is holding close to its healthiest levels in more than a decade even as Americans, especially middle- and upper-income earners, monitor an easing in the stock-market rally that could moderate household wealth. Optimism since the November election has largely cut along party lines, with Republicans feeling much better that the new administration’s policies will boost growth. At the same time, Americans of all political stripes have been buoyed by further labor-market strengthening.