(RTTNews) - With consumers anticipating larger income gains and lower inflation during the year ahead, the University of Michigan released preliminary data on Friday unexpectedly showing a continued improvement in U.S. consumer sentiment in the month of October. Curtin said "stronger finances and lower interest rates helped to modestly bolster buying plans" but noted "these favorable trends did not change consumers' overall prospects for the national economy." "A slower pace of overall economic growth is still anticipated, including some modest increases in the national unemployment rate during the year ahead," he added.