The consumer confidence index fell in February, but remained above its levels from one year ago, a New York-based business research group reported Tuesday.

The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index slipped to 104.0 this month, down from a revised 105.1 in January, as optimism about business conditions over the next six months declined. The figure was just above what analysts were expecting.

The index stood at 88.5 one year ago.

The survey is based on responses received by Feb. 15 from a sample of 5,000 U.S. households.

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