• US CB Consumer Confidence Index eases to 104.7 in March.
• The USD Index trades slightly on the defensive.

Consumer sentiment in the US retreated to three-month lows at 104.7 for the month of March according to the Conference Board. Following three consecutive months of improvements, the index came in short of expectations and receded to three-month lows in March.

From the press release, “The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labour market conditions—increased to 151.0 in March from 147.6 in February. Meanwhile, the Expectations Index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labour market conditions—fell to 73.8, down from 76.3 last month. An Expectations Index reading below 80 often signals a forthcoming recession