From Holden:

Considering the Bush assministration’s weak job creation performance is there any wonder why consumer confidence is slipping?

U.S. consumers were not as upbeat in March as weakness in the stock market dragged on their views of both present and future economic conditions, a report said on Friday.

The University of Michigan said its final measure of consumer confidence fell to 92.6 in March from 94.1 in February, according to market sources who saw the subscription-only report.

The University had said the measure slipped to 92.9 in early March. Analysts had forecast the final March reading at 92.7.

[snip]

The survey’s expectations component eased to 82.8 from 84.4 in February, while sentiment on current conditions fell to 108.0 from 109.2.

Consumer spending makes up about two-thirds of overall U.S. economic activity, and reduced confidence is seen as a precursor to slower growth.