Consumer sentiment rises in July, UMich survey says (by Ruth Mantell)
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. consumer sentiment rose in July, though it remains at a relatively low level, according to a media report Friday. The consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan and Reuters hit 61.2 in July -- up from a reading earlier in the month of 56.6 -- compared with 56.4 in June. The June reading was the lowest since 1980 and the third-lowest reading in the 56-year history of the survey. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected a July result of 56.