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UK Consumers Feeling Better
Britain's consumers are feeling more confident for the second month running, according to The UK Consumer Confidence Survey, conducted by GfK Martin Hamblin on behalf of the European Commission. The headline index improved two points from -6 in October to -4.
The overall score is three points lower than the five year average, and there are two indicators unmoved since last month. The perceived climate for major purchases remains at +5, four points below the annual average, while the perception of whether now is a good time to save is also unchanged at +23 - however, the latter is 12 points up on this time last year.
Perceptions of the development of personal finances over the last twelve months have increased by three points to -1 (from -4). Expectations for the future have increased by one point to +10 (from +9). Both measures are slightly above their annual averages.
Expectations and perceptions of the general economic situation in the country have been strongly negative in the last few years but are going in the right direction. The index for perceptions of the last twelve months is up two points to -23. Expectations for the next twelve months are more optimistic, up four points to -12, six points higher than November 2003 (-18) when the first interest rate rise was implemented and two points higher than the annual average.
GfK Martin Hamblin interview 2009 individuals aged 16+, representative of the UK population, between 28th October and 16th November. The company is online at www.gfkmh.com
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