by Calculated Risk on 8/16/2013 09:55:00 AM

Click on graph for larger image.

The preliminary Reuters / University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for August decreased to 80.0 from the final July reading of 85.1.

This was below the consensus forecast of 85.5. This is a noisy series, however sentiment has generally been improving following the recession - with plenty of ups and downs - and one big spike down when Congress threatened to "not pay the bills" in 2011.