NEW YORK, Nov 12 (Reuters) - U.S. consumer sentiment rose more than expected in early November, helped by a slightly better economic outlook and early holiday sales, a survey released on Friday showed. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's preliminary November reading on the overall index on consumer sentiment came in at 69.3, up from 67.7 in October and slightly higher than the median forecast of 69.0 among economists polled by Reuters. The reading is just above the 68.2 average of the last four months but below the post-recession high of 76.0 from June, according to the report. The survey's one-year inflation expectations measure also gained, edging up to 3.0 percent from 2.7 percent last month. The barometer of current economic conditions rose to 79.7 from October's reading of 76.6 and also above a forecast of 77.0. A gauge of consumer expectations, meanwhile, rose to 62.7 from 61.9 in October. But it was below a forecast for 63.5. (Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by Padraic Cassidy) Keywords: USA ECONOMY/SENTIMENT (caroline.valetkevitch@thomsonreuters.com; +1 646 223 6393; Reuters Messaging:caroline.valetkevitch.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved.
The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.