Consumer Sentiment Improves in January

U.S. consumer confidence rose in January, according to the University of Michigan’s monthly consumer sentiment index released Friday.

The final index for the month rose to 78.4, from 75.5 in December, though the reading was below economists’ forecasts of 79, Bloomberg reported.

The survey’s current index, which measures future consumer spending on big-ticket items, rose to 94.4 from 91 in December.