ECONOMY

Consumer Sentiment Index Rises: The University of Michigan’s preliminary consumer sentiment index for June rose to 94.5 from 92.8 in May, the highest reading since September, 1989, according to people with access to the survey. The rise in confidence “is telling me that the consumer sector will continue to grow in tandem with a growing economy,” said Alan Levenson, a money market economist at UBS Securities. The index has a base of 100, set in 1966. When the monthly reading increases, consumers are becoming more optimistic about the economy. Since 1966, the record high for the sentiment index is 101, set in March, 1984. The record low is 51.7, set in April, 1980.