Consumer confidence in the US improved slightly in February, with the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index rising to 57.3 from 56.4 in January. This print came in better than the market expectation of 55.
The Consumer Expectations Index edged lower to 56.6 from 57 in this period, while the 1-year Consumer Inflation Expectation declined to 3.5% from 4%. Finally, the 5-year Consumer Inflation Expectation ticked up to 3.4% from 3.3%.
Assessing the survey’s findings, “while sentiment is currently the highest since August 2025, recent monthly increases have been small—well under the margin of error—and the overall level of sentiment remains very low from a historical perspective,” noted Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu, and added: “Concerns about the erosion of personal finances from high prices and elevated risk of job loss continue to be widespread.”
Market reaction
The US Dollar (USD) Index remains in the lower half of its daily range after this report and was last seen losing 0.35% at 97.60.
Source: https://www.fxstreet.com/news/us-uom-consumer-sentiment-index-improves-to-573-in-february-vs-55-expected-202602061510
