Consumer sentiment rises to highest level since January
August 18, 2017 | Michael Sheetz | CNBC.com
Consumer confidence was better than expected in August, beating projections from economists surveyed by Reuters.
The consumer sentiment index, a survey of consumers by The University of Michigan, rose to 97.6 in August. Economists estimated the index would climb to 94 from the 93.4 reading in July.
“Consumer confidence rose in the first half of August to its highest level since January due to a more positive outlook for the overall economy as well as more favorable personal financial prospects,” Richard Curtin, chief economist for the Surveys of Consumers, said in a statement.