UK consumers at most confident in nine months
BRITISH consumers are now at their most confident since January 2008, showing a steady rise in optimism, according to the latest GfK/NOP consumer confidence survey.
The index rose three points to -13 and confidence in the general economy over the past 12 months jumped 10 points, but is still low, at -53. However, consumers’ confidence in the economy over the next 12 months slipped one point to +3, but remains in positive territory.
Consumers are also more confident about their personal finances, with this index 18 points higher than in October 2008.
Rachael Joy at GfK NOP said: “We have now not seen a drop in the monthly confidence rating throughout 2009 – indicating a steady, if cautious, uplift in British confidence.”
Earlier this week, a survey also showed European business and consumer confidence firming in October for a seventh month running, an EU survey showed
The EC’s economic sentiment indicator for the 16 nations using the euro currency rose to 86.2 points.