Consumer confidence indicator at highest level in over two years

  • Lusa
  • 27 March 2024

Confidence indicators increased in services and slightly in trade, while they fell moderately in manufacturing and construction and public works.

Portugal’s official consumer confidence indicator increased between December and March, reversing the downward trend seen in the previous four months and reaching its highest level since February 2022, the National Statistics Institute (INE) announced on Wednesday.

In a statement, the INE also reported that the balance of consumer opinions on price developments fell in the last two months, after having risen in January.

The outlook for future price developments has also fallen in the last two months, significantly in March, after a significant increase in January.

The INE statement also says that the economic climate indicator increased in March, against a reduction the previous month.

By sector, confidence indicators increased in services and slightly in trade, while they fell moderately in manufacturing and construction and public works.

The balance of businesses’ expectations about the future evolution of sales prices fell significantly in March in all sectors, the insitute said.