The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index for the US rose in March following a decrease in February, The Conference Board announced today. The index rose to a reading of 96.2 (1985=100), up from a reading of 94.0 in February.

Consumers’ outlook for the labor market was also more favorable.

“Consumer confidence increased in March, after declining in February,” said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at The Conference Board. “Consumers’ assessment of current conditions posted a moderate decline, while expectations regarding the short-term turned more favorable as last month’s turmoil in the financial markets appears to have abated. On balance, consumers do not foresee the economy gaining any significant momentum in the near-term, nor do they see it worsening.”

Those stating jobs are “plentiful” increased to 25.4% from 22.8% who said the same in February, while those claiming jobs are “hard to get” increased to 26.6% from 23.6%. Those anticipating more jobs in the months ahead edged up to 12.9% from 12.2% in February, while those anticipating fewer jobs decreased to 16.3% from 17.7% in February.