by Calculated Risk on 8/29/2014 09:59:00 AM

Click on graph for larger image.

The final Reuters / University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for August was at 82.5, up from the preliminary reading of 79.2, and up from 81.8 in July.

This was above the consensus forecast of 80.3. Sentiment has generally been improving following the recession - with plenty of ups and downs - and a big spike down when Congress threatened to "not pay the bills" in 2011.