Tariffs, AI & the K-Shaped Economy: Consumer Confidence Index March 2026 | Erin McLaughlin

In this episode of The Money Signal: From Main Street to Wall Street, Tsvetta Kaleynska sits down with Erin McLaughlin, Senior Economist at The Conference Board's Economy, Strategy and Finance Center, where she leads research on Energy, Infrastructure & Environment. Erin brings in the closely-watched Consumer Confidence Index for a data-rich conversation on what's really driving (and threatening) the U.S. consumer in March 2026. From tariffs and the lingering effects of Liberation Day, to AI's disruption of the labor market, to the surprising Gen Z resurgence of the American shopping mall, Erin breaks down the signals that move markets before they hit the headlines. She also unpacks the K-shaped economy, why the first-time homebuyer age has jumped from 33 to 40 since 2019, and why Q1 2026 may be when consumers finally feel the full weight of tariff pass-through pricing.If you want to understand how tariffs, AI, shopping malls and real estate dynamics intersect with market behavior — and how to read those signals before they show up in the headlines — this conversation delivers the kind of cross-disciplinary insight that moves the needle.🎙 Hosts:Tsvetta Kaleynska — Consumer Data Expert & Behavioral Insights Analyst📡 About The Money Signal:From Main Street to Wall Street — where consumer data meets market intelligence.Produced by GLORION MEDIA🔗 Follow & Listen:🌐 Website: moneysignalpodcast.com📸 Instagram: instagram.com/moneysignal.podcastDisclaimerThe content presented on The Money Signal: From Main Street to Wall Street is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice.The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of GLORION Media or its affiliates. Any discussion of companies, securities, markets, or investment strategies is intended solely as commentary and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any financial instrument. Listeners and viewers should conduct their own research and consult with qualified financial or professional advisers before making any investment or business decisions.Past performance is not indicative of future results.GLORION Media, its hosts, producers, and affiliates may have business relationships with companies discussed on the program, including advertising or promotional partnerships.© GLORION Media LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, re-uploaded, or distributed without prior written consent.#MoneySignal #FromMainStreetToWallStreet #WallStreet #Tsvetta #ErinMcLaughlin #ConsumerConfidence #Economy #MacroEconomics #USConsumer #EconomicOutlook #MarketSignals #Tariffs #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #LaborMarket #RealEstate #HousingMarket #GenZ #RetailTrends #EconomicTrends