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The reading suggests the index jumped to 76.3 in January, ahead of estimates for a slighter rise to 74.8 from last month's 73.8 reading.
The economic conditions sub-component increased to 88.0 from 85.0 last month.
The economic outlook sub-component increased to 68.7 from 66.6 last month.
Solid gains in both sub-components mark a change from last month, when sentiment toward current economic conditions fell and that toward future conditions rose.
Inflation expectations 1-year ahead were unchanged at 3.3 percent, while expectations for inflation 5 years out ticked up to 3.0 percent from 2.9 percent.