NEW YORK - The University of Michigan's preliminary December consumer sentiment index reading was 67.7, compared to the final November 64.1, the preliminary November 64.2, and the final October 60.9, according to market sources.
The expectations index was 61.1, compared to 55.4 in November, 56.2 earlier in November, and 51.8 in October.
The current conditions index was 77.9, compared to 77.6 in November, 76.6 earlier in November, and 75.1 in October.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted a 65.5 reading for the main index, 78.0 for current conditions and 57.3 for expectations.
The five-year inflation expectation index was 2.7% compared to 2.7% in November, and 2.7% in October, while the one-year inflation expectation index was 3.1%, compared to 3.2% in November, and 3.2% in October.
The University of Michigan index is not released to the press, but only to paying subscribers.
