By Harriet Torry

WASHINGTON--Consumer confidence ticked slightly higher in early November, although a gauge of current economic conditions trended downward.

--The University of Michigan said Friday its preliminary index of November consumer sentiment was 95.7, up slightly from 95.5 at the end of October.

--Economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal expected a preliminary reading of 95.3 for November.

--The survey's measure of current conditions was 110.9, down from 113.2 in October. The gauge of future expectations increased to 85.9 from 84.2 last month.

--"Consumers did voice a slightly more positive outlook for the economy, which was offset by a slightly less favorable outlook for their own personal finances," said Richard Curtin, the survey's chief economist.

--The survey found spontaneous negative references to tariffs were mentioned by one in four consumers in early November.

--References to the potential impact of impeachment on economic prospects were virtually non-existent, Mr. Curtin said, mentioned by less than 2% of respondents in both October and November.

Write to Harriet Torry at harriet.torry@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 08, 2019 10:31 ET (15:31 GMT)