According to the index compiled by The Conference Board, consumer sentiment has risen this month to 84.6, two points above the end of August and five points above the mid-August reading of 79.2. However, the gain is in the expectations component, not the current conditions aspect, which actually fell to 98.5 this month, reports housingwire.com, from 99.8 at the end of August. MHProNews has learned the improved retail sales report, released today, Sept. 12, could send the index up by the middle of the month. ##

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