Chile: Consumer sentiment improves in January
The Adimark GfK consumer confidence index (IPEC, Índice de Percepción de la Economía) rose to 47.0 points in January, from 44.6 points in December. The index, nevertheless, remained below the critical 50-point threshold that separates pessimism from optimism among Chilean consumers.
January’s detailed estimate shows that four of the five components of the index improved with respect to the previous month. Consumers’ assessment of the country’s current economic situation saw the largest increase and jumped into optimistic territory. In addition, expectations about the country in the next twelve months and willingness to buy big-ticket household items both pushed further above the 50-point threshold. Meanwhile, consumers’ opinion of the country’s stability over the next five years improved slightly but remained deeply anchored in negative territory. Lastly, households grew slightly more pessimistic about their current personal financial situation in January.