Consumer Sentiment Highest Since July

Ann Arbor, MI, Dec. 6, 2013 -- Consumer sentiment rose more than forecast in December.

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary December consumer sentiment index rose to 82.5 from 75.1 in November. Economists expected an increase to 76.

Improvements in the economy are helping buoy confidence as employment, housing values, and stock values rise.

The December reading was the highest since July.