Portugal’s consumer confidence strengthened in September to the highest level in more than fourteen years, figures from Statistics Portugal showed Tuesday.
The consumer confidence indicator rose to -17.2 in September from -18.1 in the previous month. In July, the reading was -19.0.
The index maintained the upward trend observed since the beginning of 2013 and marked the highest level since June 2001, the agency said.
At the same time, the overall economic sentiment indicator held steady for the second straight month in September at 1.4.
The indicator measuring the financial situation of the households over the next twelve months improved to -8.4 in September from -9.6 in August. The assessment of the general economic situation of the country also strengthened in September, with the corresponding index rising to -7.5 from -8.2.
In September, unemployment expectations over the next twelve months was higher than from the previous month, with the index increasing to 7.4 from 7.1. At the same time, the expectations regarding the saving capacity over the year rose to -45.4 from -47.5.
Data also showed that manufacturing confidence indicator worsened to -3.1 in September from -2.5 in the prior month. Meanwhile, confidence in the construction sector remained unchanged at -37.6 during the month.The trade confidence index fell to 0.6 from 1.2, while the services confidence indicator increased marginally to to 2.9 from 2.8.
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