US: UoM Consumer Confidence Index improves to 66.4 in February vs. 65 expected

UoM Consumer Confidence Index rose more than expected in February's flash estimate.
US Dollar Index clings to daily gains near 103.50.

Eren Sengezer FXStreet

Consumer sentiment in the US improved in early February with the University of Michigan's (UoM) Consumer Confidence Index rising to 66.4 from 64.9 in January. This reading came in better than the market expectation of 65.

"Year-ahead inflation expectations rebounded to 4.2% this month, from 3.9% in January and 4.4% in December," the UoM noted in its publication. "Long-run inflation expectations remained at 2.9% for the third straight month and stayed within the narrow 2.9-3.1% range for 18 of the last 19 months."

Market reaction

The US Dollar preserves its strength after this report and the US Dollar Index was last seen rising 0.28% on the day at 103.48.

Author

Eren Sengezer

FXStreet

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD drops to daily lows near 1.1630

EUR/USD now loses some traction and slips back to the area of daily lows around 1.1630 on the back of a mild bounce in the US Dollar. Fresh US data, including the September PCE inflation numbers and the latest read on December consumer sentiment, didn’t really move the needle, so the pair is still on course to finish the week with a respectable gain.

GBP/USD trims gains, recedes toward 1.3320

GBP/USD is struggling to keep its daily advance, coming under fresh pressure and retreating to the 1.3320 zone following a mild bullish attempt in the Greenback. Even though US consumer sentiment surprised to the upside, the US Dollar isn’t getting much love, as traders are far more interested in what the Fed will say next week.

Gold makes a U-turn, back to $4,200

Gold is now losing the grip and receding to the key $4,200 region per troy ounce following some signs of life in the Greenback and a marked bounce in US Treasury yields across the board. The positive outlook for the precious metal, however, remains underpinned by steady bets for extra easing by the Fed.