WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (AFP) - US consumer sentiment showed a stronger-than-expected improvement in December, a survey by the University of Michigan showed Thursday.
The university's survey-based consumer sentiment index rose to 97.1 in December from 92.8 in November. It was also up from an early-December reading of 95.7.
Analysts had predicted a reading of about 96.
Sentiment is closely watched by the markets because it can affect consumer spending, which accounts for two-thirds of US economic activity.
12/23/2004 15:14 GMT - AFP