Consumer Sentiment Up in April

Ann Arbor, MI, April 13, 2006–Consumer sentiment edged higher in April, helped by a stronger labor market and rising equity prices, a report showed on Friday.

The University of Michigan’s preliminary April index of consumer sentiment was 89.2, up from March’s final reading of 88.9, said sources who saw the subscription-only report.

The median forecast of Wall Street economists polled by Reuters was for a 89.0 reading.

The survey’s index of current conditions rose to 111.1 in April from 109.1 in March, while consumer expectations softened to 75.1 from 76.0.