A beat for February US consumer confidence. The composite index rose to 91.2, up from a revised 89.0 (previously 84.5), outstripping the consensus forecast of 86.8. Interestingly. With the "current conditions" sub-index actually easing (Bloomberg table below), the composite's move up was driven entirely by surging optimism for the future. Meanwhile, the inflation outlook remains sticky: median expectations held firm at 4.4%. #economy #markets #confidence #sentiment #growth #inflation