U.S. consumer sentiment continued to strengthen in late April, adding to signs that household spending will remain strong in the coming months. The University of Michigan’s final sentiment index improved to 88.3 from a preliminary reading of 86.5 and a March figure of 84.9, data released Friday showed. A median survey of economists had called for a reading of 87.5. Consumer confidence is strengthening as vaccinations quicken and more states and businesses reopen. A third round of pandemic-relief stimulus checks is also bolstering personal incomes, according to a separate report Friday, setting the stage for the ... (full story)