Ann Arbor, MI, January 21--The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index for the early January decreased to 95.8 from 97.1 in December.
The current conditions index rose to 110.4 from 106.7 in December. The expectations index, based on optimism about the next one to five years, decreased to 86.4 from 90.9 last month.
Economists were expecting the index to increase to 97.5.
The preliminary index is based on a phone survey of about 300 households. The final report for the month, due Feb. 4, will reflect about 500 responses.
