The Consumer Confidence Index fell to 62.5 from a revised 64.8 in February. The decline was not as deep as expected and not nearly as drastic as the 14-point drop experienced in February. Analysts had expected a reading of 62.0 in March.

''While a quick and successful outcome in the Middle East conflict would certainly ease some of the uncertainties facing consumers and therefore boost confidence, it is the economic fundamentals that will determine whether a rebound is sustainable,'' Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board's Consumer Research Center, said in a statement accompanying the report.