U.S. Consumer Sentiment Rises to Six-Month High

According to the University of Michigan’s preliminary Sentiment Index for September, U.S. consumer sentiment increased more than expected reaching a six-month high as more Americans were upbeat about the economy’s prospects. Preliminary September index reading increased to 78.9 from a final August reading of 74.1. Richard Curtin, director of the survey said in a statement, “Over the next several months, there are two factors that could cause volatile shifts and steep losses in consumer confidence: how the election is decided and the delays in obtaining vaccinations.