Consumers have grown more confident about the direction of the economy and inflation at onset of 2024, despite persistent worries about a looming slowdown, a survey released Friday showed. The University of Michigan’s Consumer Survey of Consumers showed a reading of 78.8 for January, its highest level since July 2021 and up 21.4% from a year ago. That followed a big jump in December and comes despite public opinion surveys showing concern about the nation’s direction. On a two-month basis, sentiment showed its largest increase since 1991, said Joanne Hsu, the survey’s director. “Consumer views were supported by ... (full story)