Consumers less negative once again

At -22, the consumer confidence indicator for March is positioned well below its long-term average for the past two decades (-10). The indicator reached an all-time high (36) in January 2000, while the all-time low (-59) was reached in September and October 2022. CBS has monitored consumer confidence every month since April 1986 based on the consumer survey. Consumer confidence is an average of 5 sub-questions, where the balance of positive and negative answers is taken from each question. If all consumers are positive, the balance is 100. If all consumers are negative, the balance is -100.

Consumers less pessimistic about the economy

Consumers are less pessimistic about the economy in March than they were in February. This component of the indicator rose to -35, compared to -41 in February. Consumers’ assessment of the economic situation over the past twelve months has improved, but their assessment of the economic outlook for the next twelve months has worsened slightly.

Willingness to buy less negative

Willingness to buy among consumers stands at -14 in March, up from -17 in February. Both consumers’ assessment of their own financial situation over the last 12 months and their assessment of the next 12 months have improved. Consumers also became slightly less negative about making large purchases in March than they were in February.