Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index Increased To 73.6 In August

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary August index of consumer sentiment increased to 73.6 from 72.3 the prior month. The gauge was projected to be little changed at 72.2, according to the median forecast of 72 economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Estimates in the survey ranged from 69 to 75. The index averaged 64.2 during the last recession and 89 in the five years before the 18-month economic slump that ended in June 2009.