Consumer Sentiment Index Falls in February

onsumer sentiment fell for a second straight month in February, according to the University of Michigan’s monthly consumer sentiment index released Friday.

The university’s index of consumer sentiment dropped to 86.7 from 91.2 in January. That compares with a preliminary reading issued in mid-February of 87.4.

The February reading was below economists’ forecasts of an 87.5 reading, Bloomberg reported.

The current conditions index, which reflects consumers’ attitudes on whether it’s a good time to buy big-ticket items, fell to 105.6 from 110.3 in January.