NEW YORK - The University of Michigan's preliminary December consumer sentiment index reading was 74.2, compared to the final November 71.6, the preliminary November 69.3, and the final October 67.7, according to market sources.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted a 72.5 reading for the index.
The expectations index was 66.8, compared to 64.8 in November, 62.7 earlier in November, and 61.9 in October.
The current conditions index was 85.7, compared to 82.1 in November, 79.9 earlier in November, and 76.6 in October.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted an 83.1 reading for the current conditions index and 66.2 for the expectations index.
The five-year inflation expectation index was 2.7%, compared to 2.8% in November, while the one-year inflation expectation index was 2.9%, compared to 3.0% in November.
The University of Michigan index is not released to the press, but only to paying subscribers.
