Consumer sentiment improving on financial well-being

Bloomberg's weekly sentiment index improved as consumers grew more upbeat about their financial well-being on the heels of stock-market gains that may keep spending from faltering.

Bloomberg's weekly sentiment measure climbed by 0.7 point to 37.2 in the period ended Sept. 14. The gauge of personal finances advanced to 54.3 last week, the highest since April 2008, from 53. The buying-climate index rose to 33.4 from 31.2, while the measure of the economy fell to the lowest level since the period ended June 1.

The gap between the highest- and lowest-income Americans persisted, with the comfort index for households earning $50,000 or more rising to 47.3 from 45.9 a week earlier. Sentiment among those earning $100,000 or more climbed, while confidence fell for lowest-income earners.

Comfort among adults 18 to 34 years old rose to 37.5, recovering ground lost in the week prior when the gauge fell to the lowest level since May.