Consumer sentiment index rises to 69.8 in April (by Ruth Mantell)
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- A gauge of consumer sentiment rose in April to 69.8 from 67.5 in March, according to reports about the data from a Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan survey released Friday. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected a final April reading of 70, while a preliminary estimate for sentiment in April had pegged the level at 69.6. Sentiment had plunged in March on concern about gas and food prices.