Overall views of labor markets also remain considerably cooler than a year ago. About 23 percent of consumers spontaneously mentioned lower incomes as a drag on their personal finances, the second highest reading since 2021.

NEW YORK, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. consumer sentiment index in February remains lower than the market expectation despite a slight improvement, a survey has found.

The U.S. Consumer Sentiment Index released Friday by the University of Michigan (UM) Surveys of Consumers rose to 56.6 in the February 2026 survey, up from 56.4 in January but below last February's 64.7.

The Current Economic Conditions Index rose to 56.6, up from 55.4 in January but below last February's 65.7. The Index of Consumer Expectations was at 56.6, down from 57 in January and below last February's 64.

The survey found that about 46 percent of consumers mentioned high prices eroding their personal finances, with the reading exceeding 40 percent for seven months in a row.

Overall views of labor markets also remain considerably cooler than a year ago. About 23 percent of consumers spontaneously mentioned lower incomes as a drag on their personal finances, the second highest reading since 2021.

Expected growth in household incomes remained relatively flat as well.

Overall, consumers do not perceive any material change in the economy in February. "The persistence of these trends highlights consumers' continued frustration with high prices even as their worries about future inflation have softened," said UM Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu. "Sentiment is about 13 percent below a year ago and more than 20 percent below January 2025."  ■