U.S. consumer sentiment unexpectedly rose in February to the second-highest level since 2004 as tax cuts and a strong job market helped Americans shrug off stock-market volatility, a University of Michigan survey showed Feb. 16.

Confidence among American homebuilders held steady in February near the highest level since 1999, suggesting that demand for housing is expected to remain strong, according to data Feb. 15 from the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo.

U.S. consumer sentiment jumped last week to the highest level since February 2001, indicating Americans were shaking off turbulence in the stock market, according to the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index.

U.S. consumer comfort last week held near the highest level since 2001 even as stocks fell on concerns about higher interest rates, the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed Feb. 8.

U.S. consumer sentiment exceeded analyst estimates in January as the outlook for jobs and household income improved, University of Michigan survey data showed Feb. 2.

U.S. consumer confidence, along with a measure of Americans’ views of the economy, advanced last week to the highest levels in nearly 17 years, the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed Feb. 1.

A measure of contract signings to buy existing U.S. homes rose in December for a third month, giving sales some momentum at the start of 2018, according to data released Jan. 31 by the National Association of Realtors.

Consumer sentiment unexpectedly declined in January to a six-month low as American households viewed the economy less favorably, a University of Michigan report showed Jan. 19.

Americans grew more upbeat last week about the economy’s performance and the buying climate, allowing a measure of consumer sentiment to remain at an almost 17-year high, the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed Jan. 18.

U.S. retail sales increased in December for a fourth month, indicating strong consumer demand throughout the holiday season, according to Commerce Department figures released Jan. 12.