Latest News Stream - Consumer Confidence

Ireland’s Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index rose slightly to 61.6 in October 2026 from 61.1 in September, despite higher inflation, rising energy costs and public sector industrial action. The reading continued a pattern of modest monthly fluctuations within a narrow range since the start of the US-Iran war, leaving overall consumer confidence subdued. Consumers became more pessimistic about the Irish economic outlook and slightly more negative about their household finances, but these declines were offset by greater willingness to spend and a slight easing in concerns about employment. The survey also revealed widespread expectations that household living costs will outpace income gains in 2027, with older consumers, financially strained households and those outside Dublin particularly concerned about further increases. The report suggested that energy costs may be a greater burden for financially vulnerable and rural households.

Consumer confidence in the Euro Area was at -17.9 in October 2026, down from -16.8 in September and reaching its lowest level since May, in line with the preliminary estimate. Consumer confidence weakened for the second consecutive month, as consumers became more pessimistic about their household’s past and expected financial situation and less willing to make major purchases. Meanwhile, expectations regarding the country’s general economic situation remained largely unchanged. Sentiment also weakened across the broader European Union, with the index falling to -17.3 from -16.1 in September.

Portugal’s consumer confidence index fell to -23.1 in October 2026, down from -20.6 in September. Over the past twelve months, households’ perceptions of their financial situation worsened (-15.9 vs. -13.8), alongside a deterioration in views of the country’s economic outlook. Inflation concerns intensified, while intentions to make major purchases weakened (-65.6 vs. -62.3). Looking ahead, households expect their financial situation to deteriorate further, with the index falling to -9.2 from -7. Meanwhile, financial uncertainty eased slightly (-19.9 vs. -20.9), although pessimism regarding the country’s economic situation deepened, with the index declining to -39.3 from -35.

Slovakia’s consumer confidence indicator rose by 3.6 points to -22.1 in October 2026, marking its highest level since March 2025. The reading was also 0.7 points higher than in the same period last year, although it remained 2.2 points below its long-term average. Consumers’ assessments of all four components of the indicator improved, with the most pronounced improvement seen in unemployment prospects (26.0 vs 32.3 in September). Consumers also expressed more favorable expectations regarding the overall economic situation (-34.9 vs -38.7), their financial situation (-8.3 vs -11.2), and savings (-19.0 vs -20.4). Among other forward-looking indicators, inflation expectations eased (25.0 vs 28.2), while expectations for major purchases also improved (-23.6 vs -26.0).

Sweden’s household confidence indicator fell to 94.3 in October 2026 from an upwardly revised and near five-year high of 102.3 in September. It marked the lowest reading since May, as households’ assessment of the economy over the past 12 months turned negative (-10 vs 4 in September), while their expectations for the coming year became significantly more pessimistic (-29 vs -6). In addition, households’ assessment of their finances over the past 12 months became less positive (8 vs 11), while their expectations for the coming year turned negative (-1 vs 11). Expectations for unemployment over the next 12 months increased (8 vs 5), while sentiment regarding purchases of capital goods over the same period deteriorated (-13 vs -9). On the other hand, saving intentions edged higher to 48 from 47 in September. Households’ assessment of current inflation rose to 7.8% in October from 7.4% in the previous month, while inflation expectations for the next 12 months climbed to 7.7% from 6.3%.

Japan's consumer confidence index declined to 35.0 in October 2026 from 35.4 in September, slightly below market expectations of 35.1. It was the lowest reading since July, as sentiment deteriorated across all major components. Households' views on overall livelihood (33.2 vs 33.8 in September), willingness to purchase durable goods (26.8 vs 27.3), income growth (40.4 vs 40.5 in September), and employment prospects (39.4 vs 40.0) all weakened.

Finland’s consumer confidence indicator dropped to -9.7 in October 2026 from -4.9 in September, marking its lowest reading since May and falling far below the long-term average of -2.9. The decline came as consumers expected the country’s economy to weaken sharply over the next 12 months (-14.1 vs -4.7 in September). Meanwhile, their assessment of their current personal financial situation became more negative (-4.4 vs -1.9), while confidence in their own financial situation over the next 12 months deteriorated sharply (2.3 vs 8.1). Consumers continued to regard the timing for purchasing durable goods as unfavorable (-22.2 vs -12.7), while spending intentions weakened (-22.6 vs -17.8), as did intentions to save (-14.9 vs -6.6). Unemployment expectations also became more pessimistic (-17.4 vs -14.9), while inflation expectations rose to 4.6% from 4.2% in September.

Taiwan’s consumer confidence index slipped to 66.27 in October 2026 from September’s 18-month peak of 68.77. Confidence weakened across several components, including domestic economic conditions (82.69 vs 87.02 in September), household finances (80.88 vs 82.64), and durable goods purchases (82.97 vs 93.78). At the same time, labor market expectations were little changed (77.7 vs 77.6), while sentiment toward stock investment prospects (35.86 vs 35.42) and future price expectations (37.54 vs 37.05) edged higher. Other additional indicators were mixed: expectations for future health conditions rose (86.08 vs 84.77), but confidence eased for current health conditions (86.08 vs 88.74) and the timing of real estate purchases (90.64 vs 98.84).

Consumer confidence in Brazil rose to 84.7 in October 2026 from 84.2 in September, the first increase after five consecutive monthly declines and matching the August level. Households’ expectations improved (88.0 vs 85.2), driven by the intention to purchase durable goods (75.5 vs 72.3), future family financial situation (86.9 vs 83.9) and future local economic situation (103.7 vs 102.0). In contrast, the assessment of the current situation deteriorated (81.4 vs 84.0), its lowest since March 2025, as consumers saw their current financial situation worsen (71.3 vs 74.4) and the local economy weaken (91.8 vs 94.0). The three-month moving average declined to 84.5 from 85.7.

The consumer confidence indicator in the Czech Republic fell to 104.3 in October 2026 from 105.1 in the previous month. The decline reflected a more pessimistic economic outlook, as the share of consumers expecting the overall economic situation to deteriorate over the next 12 months increased. Additionally, expectations for an improvement in household finances over the coming year weakened. Meanwhile, the share of respondents reporting a worse current financial situation than a year earlier edged lower. The number of households not planning to make major purchases over the next 12 months also decreased, while concerns about rising prices increased. Worries about further increases in unemployment remained unchanged from September.

The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index was revised higher to 48.0 in late October 2026, up from a preliminary estimate of 46.3, but remained at its lowest level in five months. Gains in sentiment among Republicans and Democrats were offset by declines among independents. Year-ahead business conditions improved by around 14%, although the index remained 16% below its level in October 2025. Meanwhile, the decline in the Current Conditions subindex was driven entirely by buying conditions for durable goods, which plunged 18% amid higher interest rates and growing concerns about affordability. Purchasing power continues to dominate consumer views of the economy, with sentiment now 10% below its year-ago level and 15% below February, just before the Iran conflict. Year-ahead inflation expectations edged up to 4.7% from 4.6% in September, while long-run inflation expectations also increased, rising to 3.5% from 3.4%.

The UK GfK Consumer Confidence Index plunged 11 points to -24 in October 2026 from -13 in September, marking its sharpest monthly decline since April 2020 and its lowest reading since April. The result was significantly worse than market expectations of -15 as rising inflation, higher energy prices and the ongoing Middle East conflict weighed on household sentiment ahead of Finance Minister John Healey's budget next week. Confidence in the economic outlook deteriorated sharply, while willingness to make major purchases fell to its lowest level in more than two years. Inflation expectations also rose to their highest since April, increasing concerns that the Bank of England could raise interest rates in November. The decline reverses a summer recovery, with other surveys also indicating weakening sentiment despite stronger economic growth in the first half of the year. GfK said confidence fell across income, age and gender groups, reflecting household financial pressures.

Argentina’s Consumer Confidence Index rose 0.81% month over month to 41.52 points in October 2026. By region, the index increased 6.77% in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, while declining 0.14% in Greater Buenos Aires and 0.25% in the rest of the country. The Interior recorded the highest index level at 46.00 points, while GBA had the lowest at 39.49 points. By income group, confidence among high-income households rose 1.99%, while it fell 1.30% among low-income households. The index stood at 41.76 points for high-income households, compared with 40.75 points for low-income households. Among the subindices, Durable Goods and Real Estate climbed 8.77%, while Personal Situation fell 2.59% and Macroeconomic Situation declined 1.57%. Meanwhile, Present Conditions improved 5.88%, while Future Expectations decreased 2.61%.

Consumer confidence in the Euro Area fell further to -17.9 in October 2026 from -16.5 in September, reaching its lowest level since May, according to flash estimates. Figures came in weaker than expected, as analysts had forecast a more modest decline to -17. Concerns over elevated global oil prices, inflationary pressures and the interest rate outlook likely contributed to the deterioration in consumer sentiment. Sentiment also weakened across the broader European Union, with the index falling to -17.3 from -15.8.

The consumer confidence indicator in Slovenia fell by 4 percentage points month-on-month to -27 in October 2026 from -23 in September, marking its lowest reading since May 2026. Sentiment weakened as expectations regarding the general economic situation over the next 12 months (-38 vs -29 in September) and the past 12 months (-40 vs -38) deteriorated. Households’ assessments of their financial situation over the past 12 months (-21 vs -20) and expectations for the year ahead (-17 vs -14) also worsened. Moreover, willingness to make major purchases at present (-28 vs -23) and over the next 12 months (-33 vs -31) declined, while savings prospects for the year ahead weakened (-21 vs -14). Among other indicators, price perceptions over the past 12 months increased to 71 from 68, while price expectations for the next 12 months rose to 63 from 61. Concerns about unemployment a year ahead increased to 20 from 17, while uncertainty about household finances shifted to 4 from -4.