US Consumer Sentiment Reaches Five-Month High in Broad Gain (1)

US consumer sentiment increased to a five-month high in January as Americans grew more optimistic about the economy and their finances.

The final January sentiment index rose 3.5 points from a month earlier to 56.4, exceeding the preliminary reading, according to the University of Michigan. The figure surpassed all estimates in a Bloomberg survey of economists.

The monthly advance in sentiment was the biggest since June and reflected gains across income, age, education and political affiliation. The share of survey respondents spontaneously mentioning tariffs has declined for five straight months, according the university.

“However, national sentiment ...