Consumer sentiment rises again

Consumer sentiment rose for a fourth consecutive month in April, but any marked increase in household spending is not expected.

The latest edition of the monthly consumer sentiment index — jointly published by KBC Bank (Ireland) and the ESRI — returned a reading of 62.5 points for last month, up from 60.6 points in March.

It was the first time since early 2007 that a four-month stretch of index increases was seen.