Consumer Sentiment in U.S. Rose More Than Forecast in April

Confidence among U.S. consumers climbed in April from a 16-month low, indicating job gains are helping Americans cope with rising fuel costs.

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment rose to 69.6, higher than forecast, from March’s 67.5 reading that was the lowest since November 2009. The gauge was projected to rise to 68.8, according to the median forecast of 66 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.