U.S. consumer sentiment better than initially estimated in January

The final reading for the January Reuters/Michigan index of consumer sentiment came in at 99.8 compared to a preliminary reading of 99.1 and the December final reading of 99.3. That was the highest reading since May 2019.

Economists had forecast the index to be unrevised at 99.1.

According to the report, the index of the current economic conditions fell to 114.4 from December's final reading of 115.5.

Meanwhile, the index of consumer expectations rose to 90.5 from December's final reading of 88.9.

The report notes that impeachment hearing had a barely noticeable impact on economic expectations.

"The maintenance of consumer sentiment near cyclical peak levels is surprising given the overall slow pace of economic growth, which was accompanied in January by renewed military engagements in the Mideast, an impeachment trial in the Senate, and a fast spreading coronavirus," noted Surveys of Consumers chief economist, Richard Curtin. "The resilience of consumers is remarkable and due to record low unemployment, record gains in income and wealth, as well as near record lows in inflation and interest rates," he added.