U.S. consumer confidence tumbled for a fourth consecutive month in March, falling by 7.2 points to 92.9, according to data released by business research group the Conference Board on Tuesday. The Expectations Index, which is based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions, dropped 9.6 points to 65.2, the lowest level in 12 years. The business research group said it is well below the threshold of 80, which usually signals a recession ahead. According to the research group, consumers have turned negative about the stock market for the first time since the end of 2023, likely in response to recent market volatility. In March, only 37.4 percent of consumers expected stock prices to rise over the year ahead, down nearly 10 percentage points from February and 20 percentage points from the high reached in November 2024, it said. U.S. stocks managed to eke out gains on Tuesday, thanks to a late-session surge, but the upward momentum that lasted in recent days showed a noticeable slowdown. The Dow Jones Industrial Average inched up 4.18 points or 0.01 percent to 42,587.5, while the S and P 500 rose 9.08 points or 0.16 percent to 5,776.65. The Nasdaq Composite gained 83.26 points or 0.46 percent to 18,271.85. SHOTLIST: Beijing, China - March 25, 2025 1. Screen shot showing U.S. consumer confidence decline; FILE: New York, USA - Oct 2024 2. Various of pedestrians; FILE: Miami, USA - Nov 2024 3. Customers in grocery store; FILE: USA - Feb 19, 2025 4. Various of customers shopping for eggs; San Francisco, USA - March 16, 2025 5. Customers shopping at shop; Detroit, Michigan, USA - March 17, 2025 6. Various of people drinking, playing billiard at bar; 7. Buildings, U.S. national flags; 8. Sculpture; FILE: New York City, USA - Oct 2024 9. Various of New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) building, U.S. national flags; 10. Glass door, LED screen displaying stock information; 11. Various of pedestrians, flags with sign of "NYSE"; 12. Various of traffic. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]