Consumer confidence slightly lower

In November, consumer confidence fell slightly compared to October 2006. Consumers’ opinions about the economic climate in general were less positive, willingness to buy hardly changed. For six months now, optimists have outnumbered pessimists.

A large majority of consumers were positive about the economic climate in general in November, although they were a little less enthusiastic than in the preceding month. In November, consumers were far less positive about the economic climate for the next twelve months than in October 2006. After having reached an all-time high in October, this component indicator fell back to the level of August and September. Opinions about the economic situation in the past twelve 12 months remained the same.

Willingness to buy, the second component indicator of consumer confidence, hardly changed. In November, consumers were less negative about their own financial situation in the past twelve months than in the preceding month. On the other hand, households’ opinions about their own financial situation for the next twelve months deteriorated. Consumers also considered November a less favourable time for buying expensive items than October. Just like in previous months, a small minority of consumers were pessimistic about their own financial situation and about making large purchases.

Producer confidence remained unchanged and positive in November. Information about similarities and differences between consumer and producer confidence can be accessed
in the article “Consumer confidence versus producer confidence”, published on the 9th of November 2006.

Consumer confidence, seasonally adjusted