U.S. consumer sentiment fell this month after reaching its highest point in almost six years in May, the University of Michigan reported Friday, as household optimism about employment and housing declined slightly. The university's preliminary reading on June consumer sentiment fell to 82.7, below the near-six-year high of 84.5 the previous month. Despite the decline, June's reading was the second-highest in the last eight months, suggesting Americans were optimistic about their long-term prospects. While the gauge of current economic conditions fell sharply to 92.1 from 98.0 in May, a measure of consumer expectations rose from 75.8 to 76.7 in June, its highest level since November. Sentiment fell most among lower-income households, which were "more likely to report worsening overall financial prospects" than higher-income households, survey director Richard Curtin said in a statement. But "all consumers were less optimistic about job prospects in early June, expected smaller gains in the value of their homes, and judged the probability of stock-price increases somewhat below last month's level," Curtin wrote.