(CNN)– Americans seem to be feeling more optimistic about the economy now that gas prices are falling. Data from the University of Michigan finds consumer sentiment rose this month. It’s up from 48.9 to a new reading of 49.5. It marks the first increase in consumer sentiment since February be fore the U.S.-Israeli War with Iran pushed global energy prices higher. Categories: News Tags: Columbia gas prices, food inflation, gas price, Gas Prices, inflation, lower gas prices, national gas prices, Oil Prices, SC gas prices, South Carolina gas prices, U.S. economy, U.S. inflation ...read more read less