U.S. consumer sentiment improves in December as inflation worries ease

The numbers: The University of Michigan’s gauge of consumer sentiment rose to a preliminary December reading of 59.1 from a November reading of 56.8.

Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had expected a December reading of 56.5.

Inflation expectations over the next year fell to 4.6% from 4.9% last month. It is the lowest since September…