US Consumer Confidence Rises, But Job Openings Drop

Hiring also declines sharply despite consumer optimism

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:01pm

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U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly increased in March, but the labor market showed signs of cooling with a sharp drop in job openings and hiring, according to new government data.

Why it matters

The diverging trends between consumer sentiment and the job market reflect the complex economic landscape, with consumers feeling more optimistic even as employers pull back on hiring and open positions. This could signal a potential slowdown in the broader economy.

The details

The Conference Board's consumer confidence index rose to 104.2 in March, up from 103.4 in February, defying economists' expectations of a decline. However, the U.S. Labor Department reported that job openings fell to 9.9 million at the end of February, down from 11 million the prior month. Hiring also declined sharply, dropping to 5.9 million from 6.4 million.

  • The consumer confidence data was released on March 28, 2026.
  • The job openings and hiring data was reported on April 1, 2026.

The players

The Conference Board

A non-profit research organization that publishes the widely watched consumer confidence index.

U.S. Labor Department

The federal agency that tracks and reports on the U.S. job market and employment data.

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What’s next

Economists will be closely watching future consumer confidence and job market data to see if the trends continue or if the economy begins to show more uniform signs of slowing.

The takeaway

The latest economic data paints a mixed picture, with consumers remaining upbeat even as employers become more cautious about hiring and open positions. This disconnect could signal an impending economic slowdown, though the full implications remain uncertain.