New figures show that US consumer confidence rose slightly in December with a marginal improvement in the outlook for business conditions, employment and inflation.
But separate figures showed a weaker than expected rise in durable goods orders in November.
The Conference Board said its index of consumer sentiment rose to 88.6 in December from a revised 87.8 in November. But Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board's consumer research centre, said that while consumers were less negative about the near-term future, 'they remain far from optimistic'.
The present situation Index fell to 108.3 in December, its lowest since October 2005, from a revised 115.7 in November. The expectations index rose to 75.5 in December from a revised 69.1.
Meanwhile, the Commerce Department said new orders for long-lasting US-made manufactured goods rose by a much less than forecast 0.1% during November.
A closely watched measure of business spending, which excludes aircraft and military equipment, fell 0.4% after a 2.9% decline in October.
It was the first monthly increase in overall orders recorded since July, but orders excluding transport shrank 0.7% in November.
Transport orders rose 1.9% while non-military aircraft and parts orders jumped 20.9%. Orders for computers and electronic products dipped 1.2% and machinery orders were down 2%.
