Wall Street Journal (08/14/15) Kate Davidson
The University of Michigan preliminary August consumer sentiment index declined from a final July reading of 93.1 to 92.9. Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had forecast a reading of 94.0.
Although the reading was below expectations, the index is up 10.4 points from a year ago, “indicating a much healthier level of consumer optimism and in line with our call for a pickup in spending ahead,” Derek Lindsey, BNP Paribas economist, said in a note to clients.
The August early current conditions index was also little changed, falling from 107.2 in July to 107.1. The expectations index fell from 84.1 to 83.8.