NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - A closely watched measure of consumer confidence was revised slightly higher Friday, but it remained at a nearly 10-year low.

The University of Michigan survey put its final reading of consumer confidence in March at 77.6, up from its preliminary reading for the month of 75, Reuters reported Friday. That's still the survey's lowest level since 77.3 in August, 1993.

The start of the war in Iraq, rising energy prices, and continued weakness in the job market raised worries among consumers during the month, but they were not quite as discouraged about the current state of the economy as they were about future conditions.

Consumers' view of current conditions sank to 90.0 from 95.4 in February, Reuters reported. The survey is available only to paying subscribers. The view of future conditions remained unchanged from February, at a gloomy 69.9. Both numbers are slightly higher than the earlier reading in March, when the current condition index came in at 87.1, while future conditions came in at 67.2.

Consumer spending fuels about 70 percent of the U.S. economy, and confidence is closely linked to purchases of big-ticket items such as cars and appliances. Weak consumer confidence therefore raises the risk that the United States could slip into another recession later this year.

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Besides worries about the war and the threat of terrorism, consumers are also dealing with a worsening employment picture. The nation's unemployment rate rose to 5.8 percent in February, and analysts expect it will rise to 5.9 percent in a report due out April 4.

The other major reading of consumer confidence, based on a survey by the research group the Conference Board, put March consumer confidence at 62.5, down from a 64.8 reading in February.

The final Michigan survey is based on telephone interviews with 500 households across the country on personal finances and business and buying conditions. Data was gathered both before and after the outbreak of hostilities in Iraq.  

-- Reuters contributed to this report.