NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Consumer confidence edged lower in February but the reading still topped forecasts by private economists.

The Conference Board said that its index of consumer confidence came in at 104 for February, versus analysts' forecasts for a reading of about 103, according to Briefing.com.

January's revised number came in at 105.1, which was an increase over December's 102.7.

"Although expectations cooled this month, consumers are more optimistic today than they were a year ago," the Conference Board's Lynn Franco said in a statement. "Despite recent fluctuations, both present and future indicators point toward continued expansion in the months ahead."

The business research group surveys about 5,000 households for its monthly survey. Confidence is watched closely by economists and policy-makers since consumer spending fuels roughly two-thirds of the nation's economy.