Confidence falls in March

Confidence among Florida's consumers fell 5% between February and March, according to a monthly survey conducted by the University of Florida.

Of the five inputs used to craft the university's monthly index, the one that changed most over the month dealt with participants' views about economic conditions throughout the U.S. economy over the next year. That component score fell nine points, from 77 to 68.

At the same time, one index component saw an improved score: Floridians are more confident about their personal finances today than they were a year ago, the survey suggests.

Chris McCarty, a director with the university, suggests civil unrest in the Middle East, in countries like Egypt and Libya, may be impacting consumer confidence here at home in the short term. But even after the effects of those events subside, McCarty says the current price of gas and persistently high unemployment will keep confidence down.

Despite these negative factors, Florida consumer confidence has rebounded slightly from record lows experienced during the summer months of 2010. But after rising from an index score of 66 in August to 77 in January, consumers have given back some of those positive gains.

The University of Florida conducts its Florida Economic and Consumer Survey every month. In March, the university surveyed 679 respondents to build its most recent report.