October UMich consumer sentiment falls to 57.5 (by Ruth Mantell)
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- A gauge of consumer sentiment declined to 57.5 in October from 59.4 in September, according to Friday reports on the data from Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a slight rise to 59.7 with stock volatility offsetting lower gas prices. The sentiment reading, which covers how consumers view their personal finances as well as business and buying conditions, averaged about 87 in the year before the start of the most recent recession. Economists watch sentiment data to get a feel for the direction of consumer spending. Elsewhere Friday, the Commerce Department reported that retail sales rose 1.1% in September for the largest gain in seven months, beating analysts' expectations.