Consumer Sentiment increases slightly in February

NOTE: Here is the Fannie and Freddie press release and report (I'll post on it later).

The preliminary Reuters / University of Michigan consumer sentiment index increased to 75.1 in February from 74.2 in January.

Click on graph for larger image in graphics gallery.

This was at the consensus forecast of 75.0.

Sentiment is still at levels usually associated with a recession - and sentiment is well below the pre-recession levels.

In general consumer sentiment is a coincident indicator.