Consumer sentiment rose in April

The final reading for consumer sentiment in April rose to 76.4 from
76.2 in March, according to reports on a gauge released Friday by the
University of Michigan/Thomson Reuters.

High gas prices and stock-market volatility have been weighing on consumers.

The sentiment gauge, which covers how consumers view their personal
finances as well as business and buying conditions, averaged about 87
in the year before the most recent recession. Economists watch
sentiment data to get a feel for the direction of consumer spending.

U.S. Unemployment Fell to 8.2% in March

The U.S. unemployment rate in March fell to 8.2% from 8.3%, mainly
because more people dropped out of the labor force.

The economy , meanwhile, added 120,000 jobs in March, marking the
smallest increase in five months, the government reported Friday. The
number of jobs created last month fell well below expectations and
failed to break the 200,000 level for the first time since December.
Employment in March was hurt in part by a 34,000 decline in retail
jobs.

The average workweek fell 0.1 hour to 34.5, while average hourly
earnings rose 0.2% to $23.39.

Employment gains for January and February were little changed under
Labor Department revisions.