The numbers:The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index improved to a reading of 98.4 in March from 93.8 in the prior month.

That was better than the mid-March reading of 97.8.

What happened: Current conditions and expectations indexes both improved in the month. Sentiment was aided by more favorable real income expectations. Expectations of inflation were lower. Consumers still expect the Federal Reserve to raise its benchmark interest rate this year.