Israel: Businesses remain optimistic but consumer confidence drops to four-month low in December
Sentiment among Israeli consumer deteriorated at the end of 2018, with the consumer confidence index dropping from minus 5.7 in November to minus 11.6 in December, the lowest reading in four months. The deterioration in sentiment was largely broad-based, as consumers became significantly more pessimistic about the country’s general economic outlook. Subsequently, consumers’ views on the labor market deteriorated with a greater number expecting a rise in unemployment. Consumers’ outlook the economic situation of households also became less rosy in the month.
Meanwhile, business sentiment moderated somewhat from 22.6 in November to 21.0 in December.