Finland’s consumer confidence strengthened for the sixth successive month in March, survey results of Statistics Finland showed Friday.
The consumer confidence index rose to 11.2 in March from 10.6 in the previous month. The latest score was the strongest since May 2012, when the reading was 12.0.
The latest survey was conducted among 1,350 residents in Finland, between March 2 and 19.
Households’ expectations regarding their own financial situation improved in March, with the corresponding index rising to 8.5 from 8.1 in February.
At the same time, the index reflecting the general economic conditions of the country for the next twelve months worsened notably to 1.2 in March from 4.5 in the preceding month.
Consumers predicted in March that consumer prices would go up 1.3 percent over the next twelve months. A year ago, the the predicted inflation rate was 2.7 percent.
The survey showed that 47 percent consumers thought in March that unemployment would increase over the next year, while 17 percent of them believed it would decrease.
In March, 47 percent of consumers thought that the time was favorable for buying durable goofs, while 52 percent of consumers regarded saving worthwhile.
The material has been provided by InstaForex Company – www.instaforex.com