U.S. Consumer Sentiment Held Steady in Early May

University of Michigan index at 98.8 in May, April after hitting 14-year high in March

Ben Leubsdorf

Updated May 11, 2018 10:58 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON—American households remained relatively confident about the economy in early May.

The University of Michigan said Friday its index of consumer sentiment was 98.8 in May, unchanged from April. That was a little better than the 98.0 that economists had expected for the month’s preliminary reading; a final figure will be announced May 25.

“Consumer...