Consumer sentiment rises again in February to cap complicated week for US economy

US consumers raised their optimism about the US economy for the third straight month in February to cap a week that offered investors a complicated picture.

The initial read on consumer sentiment in February from the University of Michigan out Friday showed the index inched higher from January, suggesting “that consumers continue to feel more assured about the economy, confirming the considerable improvements in December and January across various aspects of the economy,” said Joanne Hsu, director of the survey of consumers.

The index registered a reading of 79.6, up from the 79.0 seen in January’s final look at sentiment but slightly below the 80 that was expected by economists.

Overall, sentiment is about 30% higher than it was in November.

 

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