NEW YORK - The University of Michigan's preliminary February consumer sentiment index reading was 73.7, compared to the final January 74.4, the preliminary January 72.8, and the final December 72.5, according to market sources.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted a 75.0 reading for the index.
The expectations index was 66.9, compared to 70.1 last month, 67.5 earlier in January, and 68.9 in December.
The current conditions index was 84.1, compared to 81.1 last month, 81.0 at mid-January, and 78.0 in December.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted an 81.2 reading for the current conditions index and 70.9 for the expectations index.
The five-year inflation expectation index was 2.8, compared to 2.9% last month, 2.8% earlier in January, and 2.7% in December, while the one-year inflation expectation index was 2.7%, compared to 2.8% last month, 2.8% earlier in January, and 2.5% in December.
The University of Michigan index is not released to the press, but only to paying subscribers.
