Consumers more positive about their financial situation in January

Consumer confidence hardly changed in January 2010. The indicator stood at -10, as against -11 in the preceding month. As a result of this minor improvement, the upward trend in consumer confidence continues. Consumers’ opinions on their own financial situation did improve substantially.

Consumer confidence

In January 2010, Dutch consumers were far more positive about their own financial situation in the next twelve months than in December 2009. This component indicator rose by 8 points to reach +6. Optimists outnumbered pessimists for the first time in two years. Consumers’ opinions on their own financial situation in the past twelve months also showed distinct improvement. Their onions on whether it is a good time to purchase expensive items, on the other hand, deteriorated. As a result, the indicator willingness to buy improved only marginally from -6 in December to -4 in January.

After a jump in November and December, consumers’ opinions on the economic climate hardly changed in January. The indicator fell by 1 point to -20. In retrospect, consumers are somewhat more negative about the economic situation in the past twelve months. Their views on the economic situation in the next twelve months did not alter.

Consumer confidence, seasonally adjusted