By Rex Nutting
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. consumer sentiment improved marginally in late April after sinking earlier in the month, according to media reports on Friday of the Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index. The UMich index rose to 72.2 from 69.5 in mid-April. Economists expected an increase to about 71. March's final reading was 73.6. The index has been largely unchanged since November, remaining at depressed levels. The long-term average is about 87.
