Consumer sentiment stays optimistic, buoyed by high hopes on jobs and tax boost

• The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index ticked down at the end of February, but remained at historically high levels.
• The latest reading came in at 99.3, slightly below the mid-month figure of 99.9.

Consumer sentiment inched down at the end of February, but still exceeded expectations after shooting up in a mid-month reading.

The University of Michigan’s report on consumer attitudes about the economy slipped to 99.7 in February. A survey of Reuters economists expected the number to fall to 99.3.

The index reached 99.9 in the prior February reading, its second-highest level since 2004.

The survey measures 500 consumers’ attitudes on future economic prospects, in areas such as personal finances, inflation, unemployment, government policies and interest rates.

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