The consumer confidence index decreased to 78.1 in February from a revised 79.4 last month, The Conference Board reported Tuesday.
The January index was originally reported as 80.7.
The present situation index rose to 81.7 from a revised 77.3, first reported as 79.1, while the expectations index slipped to 75.7 from a revised 80.8, first reported as 81.8.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters predicted an 80.3 reading for the index.
"Consumer confidence declined moderately in February, on concern over the short-term outlook for business conditions, jobs, and earnings," said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board's Consumer Research Center. "While expectations have fluctuated over recent months, current conditions have continued to trend upward and the Present Situation Index is now at its highest level in almost six years (April 2008, 81.9). This suggests that consumers believe the economy has improved, but they do not foresee it gaining considerable momentum in the months ahead."
Business conditions were called "good" by 21.5% of respondents in February, up from 20.8% in January. Those saying conditions are "bad" slid to 22.6% from 23.4%.
The percentage of consumers expecting a pickup in business conditions in the next half year fell to 16.3% from 17.0%, while 13.3% said they expect conditions to worsen, up from 12.2% in the prior month.
On the jobs front, those who believe jobs are "plentiful" climbed to 13.9% in February from 12.5% in January, while the number saying jobs are "hard to get" slid to 32.5% from 32.7%. The respondents who see fewer jobs becoming available in a half year, increased to 20.6% from 19.0%. Those expecting more jobs to become available fell to 13.3% from 15.1%, The Conference Board reported.
