American consumers last year were more upbeat on Average than at any time since 2001, reflecting more favorable views of the economy, personal finances and the buying climate. The overall Comfort measure averaged 50.0 in 2017, up from 43.6 a year earlier and the best reading since 51.8 in 2001.  The weekly index in the last week of 2017 eased to 51.8 from 52.4.

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