Consumer Sentiment Highest Since Early 2008

Ann Arbor, MI, Sept. 25, 2009--Consumer sentiment improved in late September, according to the Reuters/University of Michigan index.

The consumer sentiment index jumped to 73.5 in late September from 70.2 earlier in the month. The increase was well above expectations. The consensus forecast of Wall Street economists had expected sentiment to rise to 70.5.

The gain is much higher than the recent high in sentiment of 70.8 in June. Sentiment is now at the highest level since early 2008.