The University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment in the U.S. fell to 68.2 in March from 77.5 in February, according to a Bloomberg report. Economists had expected the index to decline to 76.3. The survey’s barometer of current economic conditions was at 83.6, down from 86.9, missing the forecast of 86.0. Consumer expectations fell to 58.3 from 71.6, which is the lowest level since March of 2009.