NEW YORK - The University of Michigan's preliminary April consumer sentiment index reading was 69.6, compared to the final March 67.5 reading, the preliminary March 68.2, and the final February 77.5, according to market sources.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted a 68.5 reading for the index.
The expectations index was 61.2, compared to 57.9 in March, 58.3 earlier in March, and 71.6 in February.
The current conditions index was 82.7, compared to 82.5 in March, 83.6 earlier in March, and 86.9 in February.
The five-year inflation expectation index was 2.9%, compared to 3.2% in March, and 2.9% in February, while the one-year inflation expectation index was 4.6%, compared to 4.6% in March, and 3.4% in February.
The University of Michigan index is not released to the press, but only to paying subscribers.
