March UMich consumer sentiment drops (by Ruth Mantell)

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- An index of consumer sentiment dropped in March, according to media reports of a poll released Friday by Thomson Reuters and the University of Michigan. The gauge fell to 68.2 in March from 77.5 in February. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a March reading of 75.8, with gains from an improving labor market offset by rising gas prices.