Ireland: Consumer confidence ticks down in February
The KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI consumer sentiment fell marginally in February, hinting at a largely unchanged mood. The index ticked down to 85.2 in the month from 85.5 in January, thus still remaining below the 100-threshold separating optimism from pessimism among consumers.
Looking at the breakdown, households’ appraisal of their personal finances compared to a year ago deteriorated in February from January, as well as their willingness to purchase large ticket items. Meanwhile, households’ expectations for their personal finances in the year ahead improved, while consumers’ perception of the general economic outlook, as well as their concerns over job losses ahead, turned less pessimistic.