The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary consumer sentiment index rose to 95.9 in April from a final reading of 93.0 in March, exceeding expectations for an increase to 93.8.

The Surveys of Consumers chief economist at the University of Michigan Richard Curtin said that "the cumulative improvement in a broad range of economic assessments are now comparable to the peak levels recorded in the mid 2000's".

A gauge of consumers' current economic conditions climbed to 108.2 in April from 105.0 in March.

The index of consumer expectations increased to 88.0 from 85.3.

The one-year inflation expectations in April declined to 2.5% from 3.0% in March.