The Conference Board released its consumer confidence index for the U.S. on Tuesday. The index rose to 98.1 in January from 96.3 in December, exceeding expectations for a rise to 96.5. December's figure was revised down from 96.5.

The present conditions index remained unchanged at 116.4 in January.

The Conference Board's consumer expectations index for the next six months increased to 85.9 in January from 83.0 in December.

The percentage of consumers expecting more jobs in the coming months was down to 22.8% in January from 24.2% in December.

"Consumer confidence improved slightly in January, following an increase in December. Consumers' assessment of current conditions held steady, while their expectations for the next six months improved moderately. For now, consumers do not foresee the volatility in financial markets as having a negative impact on the economy," the director of economic indicators at The Conference Board, Lynn Franco, said.