Consumer confidence virtually unchanged

Following the sharp decrease in February, the consumer confidence indicator remained virtually unchanged in March. The indicator slightly increased from -10 in February to -9 in March. Consumers were slightly less negative about the economic climate, whereas their willingness to buy decreased marginally.

Indicators consumer confidence

About the economic climate consumers were somewhat less pessimistic than in February. March’s subindicator stood at -20. This is mainly because consumers were less negative about the economy in the twelve months to come. Their opinions on the economic climate in the past twelve months improved only marginally.

Just like in February, consumers’ willingness to buy deteriorated marginally in March. This is caused by the fact that – for the fist time since August 2006 – the question whether it is a good time to buy durable goods is answered negatively. In the span of two months, the indicator dropped by 10 points to -3. On the other hand, consumers’ opinions on their own financial situation in the past twelve months improved. Consumers are slightly more pessimistic about their own financial situation in the twelve months to come than they were in February.

Consumer confidence, seasonally adjusted