Consumer sentiment rose sharply in January 2006
According to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, the consumer confidence index in January 2006 was significantly higher than its long-term average for the first time in four years.
As reported by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, the consumer sentiment index in January 2006 is significantly higher than its long-term average level for the first time in four years. At 2 points, consumer sentiment has improved noticeably compared to October last year (- 15 points). The highest increase was observed in the assessment of the general economic situation: from - 33 points in October to 0 points in January. The assessment of the financial situation of households was also better: here the score rose from - 14 to - 2. When asked about the coming 12 months, a slightly stronger optimism is evident: the score rose from + 3 to + 7. The other indicators, which are surveyed together with the consumer sentiment indices, also show a similar result. Expectations regarding economic development improved from - 12 to + 25 points. According to household assessments, prices have risen less in the last 12 months (down 10 points to + 52 ). Inflation expectations have fallen by 9 points to + 40. Job security was rated higher (from - 100 to - 88) and the timing of major purchases was viewed more favorably (from - 20 to - 11 points). The survey was conducted among around 1,100 households.
