Investing.com - Consumer confidence in the U.S. inched up less-than-expected in March, underlining concerns over the economic recovery, industry data showed on Tuesday.
In a report, Investor's Business Daily and TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence said their IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index rose to 45.1 this month from February’s reading of 44.9. Economists had expected the index to rise to 45.6 in February.
The index is 0.4 points above its 12-month average of 44.7, 0.7 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered the recession, and 4.2 points below its all-time average of 49.3.
A reading above 50.0 indicates optimism, while those below 50.0 point to pessimism.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index has a good track record of foreshadowing the confidence indicators put out later each month by the University of Michigan and The Conference Board.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar held on to losses against the euro, with EUR/USD adding 0.17% to trade at 1.3758.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock markets were higher after the open. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 1.2%, the S&P 500 index jumped 1.25%, while the Nasdaq Composite index increased 1.3%.