Economic sentiment among U.S. consumers fell in February compared to January, according to a report from Investor's Business Daily and TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence.
The IBD/TIPP index of economic optimism fell marginally to 44.6 from the 45.4 reading in January. A reading above 50 indicates an optimistic outlook, while one below 50 suggests pessimism. Economists had expected a fall to 44.0.
Despite little movement in the headline result, the three components were mixed.
The only component to rise was the federal policies index, which increased to 41.0 from 36.7.
The personal financial outlook fell to 50.2 from 55.0 in January. The economic outlook index fell to 42.6 from 44.4 in January.
The survey's margin of error is 3.3%.
By Stephen Huebl and edited by Sarah Sussman
©CEP News Ltd. 2009