U.S. consumer confidence clouded over a little this month, after views of the economy weakened on expectations of higher inflation, as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office proposing tax cuts and new import tariffs.

The consumer confidence index measured by the University of Michigan in the US fell to 73.2 in January, below market expectations. The university announced that the consumer confidence index decreased by 0.8 points in January compared to last month.

U.S. consumers expect inflation to increase over the next 12 months and beyond, likely reflecting concerns that broad tariffs on imports pledged by President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration could raise prices for households.

U.S. consumers are kicking off the new year in a downbeat mood as inflation expectations jumped. The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index ticked down to a reading of 73.2 in the first few weeks of January,

U.S. consumer sentiment nudged down to 73.2 in January's preliminary estimate, vs. 74.9 consensus from December's 74.0, according to the University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers released on Friday.