ANN ARBOR, Mich.-- The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index rose 4.3 points to 95 in March.

The current conditions index measures consumers' attitudes about their present financial situation. The index rose to 99.3 from 96.2 in February.

The expectations index, which tracks attitudes about the 12 months ahead, rose to 92.3 in March from 87.2 in February.