UMich consumer sentiment survey at 55.7 in August (by Jeffry Bartash)

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Consumer sentiment in August lingered near the lowest level since the winter of 2008, according to the gauge from Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan released Friday. The index edged up to 55.7 in August from from a preliminary reading of 54.9. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected a final August reading of 56.5. The index registered 63.7 in July.