Consumer Confidence Rises in June

.S. consumer sentiment improved in June, according to the latest University of Michigan survey released Friday.

In a separate report, the Commerce Department said the nation’s current account deficit shrank in the first quarter as the U.S. trade deficit improved. The gap narrowed to

The index rose to 82.4 from May’s 79.1 reading, the survey said. Analysts had predicted a decline to 79, Bloomberg reported.

he current conditions index, which reflects consumers’ attitudes on whether it’s a good time to buy big-ticket items, jumped to 103.1 from 96.1.