The Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index, which measures household confidence in the US economy, rose to 81.8 in October from 80.4 in September. Analysts had expected the figure at around 81.2 points. At the same time, the index of current economic conditions in the United States in October, according to the final assessment, fell to 85.9 points from 87.8 points in September, and the index of economic expectations rose to 79.2 from 75.6 points a month earlier. The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index is compiled from a monthly survey of at least 500 American households on 50 key questions aimed at identifying changes in consumer expectations about the economic climate, personal income and consumption. The indicator is published twice a month in the form of an initial and final assessment and affects the dynamics of the dollar, stock markets and US government bonds.
