US consumer confidence rises, but job openings, hiring drop sharply

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- US consumer confidence unexpectedly edged up in March, but households remained downbeat on the labor market and anticipated higher inflation over the next 12 months amid a surge in gasoline prices and ‌continued tariff pass-through. That labor market apprehension was underscored by the other data Tuesday showing fewer job openings in February and hiring tumbling to a six-year low.