Consumer confidence has bounced back in the United States in February, after a rocky start to the year with a January decline.
The latest Index numbers found that consumer confidence had inched back up to 91.2, from 89 in January (revised from an initial figure of 84.5).
Markets were expecting a reading of 87.
Inflation expectations remained high and “top of consumer's minds”, alongside prices and cost of goods concerns.
The upward sentiment came largely from Republicans and Independents, aged 54 and younger, with Democrats and older respondents remaining more pessimistic.
"Consumers' write-in responses on factors affecting the economy continued to skew towards pessimism," said Dana Peterson, chief economist at the Conference Board.
“Mentions of trade and politics also increased. Labor market mentions eased a bit, while observations about immigration increased somewhat.”
