Washington, DC, September 29, 2006--Consumer sentiment strengthened in late September, according to media reports Friday of proprietary research from the University of Michigan.
The UMich consumer sentiment index rose to 85.4 in late September from 84.4 earlier in the month.
This is the highest sentiment level since April.
The increase was in line with forecasts of Wall Street economists.
The drop in gasoline prices in September has boosted confidence, economists said.
The sentiment index is above the 82.0 level in August.
