Consumer Sentiment Up Fifth Straight Month

Ann Arbor, MI, Jan. 27, 2012 -- The final January reading of the University of Michigan/Thomson Reuters index of consumer sentiment reached 75.0, compared to a preliminary report of 74.0 and a December reading of 69.9.

Economists had expected the final reading to be 74.3.

January marks the fifth month in a row of improvement. The sentiment gauge, which covers how consumers view their personal finances as well as business and buying conditions, averaged about 87 in the year before the start of the most recent recession.