The Conference Board reported that in March, the country's consumer confidence unexpectedly increased, with households expecting higher inflation over the next 12 months due to a surge in gasoline prices and continued tariffs. The index was revised slightly from its previous estimate of 91.2. The recent U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has resulted in global oil prices rising by over 50% and the national average retail price of gasoline crossed $4 a gallon for the first time in over three years.