Consumer sentiment continues to be high

Consumer sentiment continues to be very positive.

The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index registered at 95.9 in April, which was only a hair below the 96.0 expected by economists.

"Consumer confidence remained unchanged in late April at its second highest level since 2007," survey director Richard Curtin noted. "The data provide no indication of falling confidence; indeed, the Sentiment Index has recorded a higher average level during the last five months than anytime since May 2004."

Sentiment continues to benefit from falling unemployment, favorable housing market conditions, low gas prices, and high stock prices among other things.