U.S. consumer sentiment exceeded estimates in April on Americans’ increasingly favorable views of their finances, University of Michigan survey data showed April 27.

U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly rose in April to the second-highest level since 2000 as Americans grew more upbeat about both current conditions and the economic outlook, according to figures April 24 from the New York-based Conference Board.

U.S. consumer debt rose in February by the least in five months as credit card balances stalled, indicating Americans’ appetite for borrowing waned further after a fourth- quarter shopping spree.

U.S. consumer sentiment advanced last week to a 17-year high as greater optimism about household finances and the buying climate more than offset a deterioration in views about the economy, the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed April 5.

Consumer sentiment in March reached the highest level since 2004 as a solid labor market and growth expectations offset concerns about tariffs and stock-market volatility, a University of Michigan survey showed March 29.

Consumer spending lagged behind income growth for a second month in February, showing American households were taking a breather after a late-2017 surge. Inflation, meanwhile, ticked up.

U.S. consumer confidence declined in March for the first time this year on tempered optimism about the outlook for the economy, according to figures March 27 from the New York-based Conference Board.

Americans’ outlook for the economy climbed in March for a third straight month to match the highest level since 2002, data from the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed March 22.

U.S. retail sales unexpectedly fell in February for a third month, adding to signs that consumer spending will cool this quarter from the previous period’s hot pace, according to Commerce Department figures released March 14.

Americans’ sentiment remained close to a 17-year high on rosier views of personal finances and the buying climate, as workers enjoy more take-home pay after the recent tax-cut legislation, according to the weekly Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index released March 1.