Consumer Confidence Edges Up, Despite Inflation Fears

0:00US consumer confidence edged up to 91.8 in March. From 91 the month before, even as energy prices skyrocketed from the war. In Iran, gas prices hit $4.02 a gallon on average nation-wide, the highest since 2022, right after Russia's move into Ukraine. Thanks to that Middle East conflict, dragging into its second month. Folks feel okay about the current economy, with that present situation index jumping to 123.3, but they're downbeat on. What's ahead, as inflation fears grow, and the expectations measured dipped to 70.9 stepped below 80 for 14 straight months. A, recession, red flag. The job market shaky too, with employers cutting 92,000 positions in February, instead of adding any, pushing unemployment to 4.4% while job opening slipped to 6.9 million. Feds keeping interest rates steady amid sticky inflation above their 2% goal. No cuts coming soon,

1:00despite last year's three reductions too. Prop up jobs. Consumers are still swiping cards for now, but car visor of while home plans drop in stock hopes tank as oil shocks linger. Watch for spending too. Cool off. This has been Durham News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with The Story.