The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index for the US, which in January increased to the highest level since 2007, fell in February to a reading of 96.4 (1985=100) from 103.8 in the previous month.

“After a large gain in January, consumer confidence retreated in February, but still remains at pre-recession levels (September 2007, Index, 99.5),” said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at The Conference Board. “Consumers’ assessment of current conditions remained positive, but short-term expectations declined. While the number of consumers expecting conditions to deteriorate was virtually unchanged, fewer consumers expect conditions to improve, prompting a less upbeat outlook. Despite this month’s decline, consumers remain confident that the economy will continue to expand at the current pace in the months ahead.”

The number of consumers anticipating more jobs in the months ahead fell to 13.4% in February from 17.3% percent in January, according to the index’s survey. However, those expecting fewer jobs also fell to 14.3% from 14.8%.

Those saying jobs are “plentiful” edged down to 20.5% in February from 20.7% in January’s survey; those claiming jobs are “hard to get” rose to 26.2% from 24.6% in January.