NEW YORK - The University of Michigan's preliminary September consumer sentiment index reading was 70.2, compared to the August reading of 65.7, the mid-August 63.2, and the final July 66.0, according to market sources.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted a 67.0 reading for the index.
The expectations index was 69.2, compared to 65.0 last month, 62.1 earlier in August, and the 63.2 in July.
The current conditions index was 71.8 in September, compared to 66.6 in August, 64.9 at mid- August, and the 70.5 final in July.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted a 67.5 reading for the current conditions index and 66.0 for the expectations index.
The five-year inflation expectation index preliminary was 2.9%, compared to the 2.8% final August reading, the 2.9% preliminary August estimate, and the 3.0% final in July, and the one-year inflation expectation index was 2.6%, compared to the 2.8% reading in the final and preliminary August reports, and the 2.9% final July reading.
The University of Michigan index is not released to the press, but only to paying subscribers.
