The final reading for the December Reuters/Michigan index of consumer sentiment came in at 80.7 compared to a preliminary reading of 81.4 and the November final reading of 76.9. 

Economists had forecast the index to be revised slightly downward to 81.3.

According to the report, the index of consumer expectations surged 5.8 percent m-o-m to 74.6 from November’s final reading of 70.5, while the index of the current economic conditions rose 3.4 percent m-o-m to 90.0 from November’s final reading of 87.0.

The Sentiment Index slipped in late December, although it remained higher than last month despite the ongoing surge in covid infections and deaths”, noted Richard Curtin, the Surveys of Consumers chief economist.