By Ruth Mantell
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The final October reading of the University of Michigan-Thomson Reuters consumer-sentiment index is due at 9:55 a.m. Eastern. Economists polled by MarketWatch expect little change, with the index ticking down to 83 from a preliminary October level of 83.1, which was the highest level since September 2007. The preliminary October reading jumped up from a final September result of 78.3, as consumers' expectations and views on current conditions gained. The sentiment gauge, which covers how consumers view their personal finances as well as business and buying conditions, averaged about 87 in the year before the most recent recession. Economists watch sentiment data to get a feel for the direction of consumer spending.
