Consumer Confidence Improves

Consumer confidence rose this month from its lowest level in almost three years, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index released Friday.

The September preliminary index rose to a reading of 57.8, from the 55.7 reading in August that had been the lowest since November 2008.

A preliminary reading two weeks ago showed a reading of 54.9.

The reading topped economists’ median forecast of a 57 reading, Bloomberg reported.

The index averaged a reading of 89 in the five years leading up to the recession at the end of 2007.