After dropping in February, consumer sentiment among Floridians rose to its highest level in 15 years in March, according to the University of Florida's latest Bureau of Economic and Business Research consumer survey. The reading of 99 last month was the survey's highest result since March 2002 and the second-highest since November 2000. Perceptions of one’s personal financial situation now compared with a year ago and whether now is a good time to buy a major household item such as an appliance both rose, as did respondents' expectations for their personal finances a year from now, for U.S. economic conditions over the next year and for U.S. economic conditions over the next five years.