US consumer sentiment falls to 4-month low

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - The consumer sentiment index in the US fell to 55.4 in September, its lowest level since May, according to a survey on Friday.

The University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers said its Consumer Sentiment Index fell 2.8 points compared to August.

The index was expected to be 58.2, as it was in August.

The current economic conditions index, which measures Americans' assessment of current financial conditions, fell by 0.5 points on a monthly basis to 61.2 in September.

The consumer expectations index, which reflects consumers' long-term outlook, also fell by 4.1 points to 51.8 during the same period.

Consumers' short-term inflation expectations remained unchanged at 4.8% in September, while long-term inflation expectations rose for the second consecutive month, climbing from 3.5% to 3.9%.