Consumer sentiment at highest in 8 months

2/11/2011

U.S. consumers' confidence rose in February to the highest level in eight months.

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment for the month climbed to 75.1 from 74.2 in January.

The survey's current conditions gauge increased to 86.8, the highest since January, 2008, from 81.8 in January, 2010. The gauge reflects Americans' perceptions of their financial situations and whether it is a good time to buy big-ticket items such as cars.