Consumer Sentiment Index Rises

By Agence France-Presse U.S. consumers were more upbeat in July, according to the University of Michigan consumer sentiment index, which rose to 96.7 from 95.6 in June and 96.0 in early July. The report released July 30 was better than the 96.1 economists were expecting. The expectations index rose to 91.2 from 88.5 in June and 90.4 in early July. The current conditions index fell to 105.2 from 106.7 in June, but was up from 104.6 in early July. The Michigan report, released monthly, queries 500 households via a telephone-based survey. Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2004