Global Consumer Confidence: "We Start the New Year with Caution"

Nielsen Global Online Consumer Confidence Survey

Global Consumer Confidence: Concerns Around the World

"Global consumer confidence indexed at 91 in Q4 2012, a one-point decline from Q3 2012, but an increase of two points from Q4 2011, according to consumer confidence findings from Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy. However, the relatively flat global average across the last year does not tell the entire story. Across the 58 countries we measured in Q4 2012, confidence declined in 33 countries, remained flat in six countries, and increased in 19 countries relative to the prior quarter."

Global Online Consumer Confidence by Quarter
Consumer confidence levels above and below a baseline of 100 indicate degrees of optimism and pessimism.




“Consumers around the world grappled with increasing economic concerns as the Euro zone crisis spread from troubled to core countries, the United States fiscal cliff threat loomed large, and China’s rising inflation sparked monetary policy action,” said Dr. Venkatesh Bala, chief economist at The Cambridge Group, a part of Nielsen. “Consumers are proceeding with caution in 2013 and showed renewed discretionary spending restraint in the last quarter amid further global economic and political uncertainty.”

Global Online Consumer Confidence by Region
Consumer confidence levels above and below a baseline of 100 indicate degrees of optimism and pessimism.



"Asia-Pacific (101) and Latin America (96) reported the only regional consumer confidence index increases in Q4, rising one and two points, respectively. Middle East/Africa declined two points to 96, North America dropped one point to 90, and Europe decreased three index points to 71, compared to Q3."

Confidence by Country

India is the most most optimistic country at 121, followed by Philippines 119, Indonesia 117, Thailand 115, United Arab Emirates 113, Saudi Arabia 112, Brazil 111, China 108, Malaysia 103, and Norway 102.

Greece is now the most pessimistic country at 35, followed by Hungary 37, South Korea 38, Portugal 38, Italy 39, Croatia 42, Spain 46, France 52, Slovakia 57, and Japan 59.

U.S. Consumer Confidence

Consumer confidence in the U.S. decreased -1 to 89, which is upper mid-tier worldwide. Previous readings were 90 in Q3 2012, 87 in Q2 2012, 92 in Q1 2012, 83 in Q4 2011, 77 in Q3 2011, 78 in Q2 2011, 83 in Q1 2011.

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Global Consumer Confidence Subdued

Nielsen Global Online Consumer Confidence Survey

Global Consumer Confidence Subdued

Global consumer confidence increased one index point in third quarter to a score of 92 as consumers are caught between very slow improvement in some regions, and the threat of further crises posed by economic volatility, according to consumer confidence findings from Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy.

“The subdued third-quarter results reflect an overall trend that is neither positive nor negative as consumers are treading water very carefully,” said Dr. Venkatesh Bala, chief economist at The Cambridge Group, a part of Nielsen. “Consumers played it safe in Q3, especially in Europe, which still faces a very precarious economic situation despite some recent stabilizing policy initiatives by the European Central Bank. Export growth from China, especially to the Euro zone, has slowed substantially accompanied by restraint among consumers there. Consumers in the U.S., while less directly impacted by Europe, continue to be cautious in the face of an uneven recovery, marked by still-elevated unemployment levels and disappointing payroll growth.”

Key Findings
● Recessionary sentiment grew
● Minimal shift reported in discretionary spending patterns
● Global consumers continued to cut back
● Biggest concerns centered on economy and jobs
● North America posted most positive confidence increase

Global Online Consumer Confidence The current reading of 92 (+1) is above the chart average (90.6).



Global Online Consumer Confidence by Region Asia Pacific continues highest at 100 (no change), followed by Middle East/Africa at 98 (no change), and Latin America at 94 (-2). North America is next at 91 (+3). Europe continues trailing at 74 (+1).



Confidence by Country

Indonesia and India are the most most optimistic countries at 119, followed by Philippines 118, United Arab Emirates 114, Saudi Arabia 113, Thailand 112, Brazil 100, China 106, Malaysia 105, and Switzerland 104.

Hungary continues as the most pessimistic country at 37, followed by South Korea 40, Croatia 41, Portugal 41, Greece 46, Italy 46, Spain 48, Japan 59, Romania 60, and France 61.

U.S. Consumer Confidence Consumer confidence in the U.S. increased +3 to 90 and is higher mid-tier worldwide. Previous readings were 87 in Q2 2012, 92 in Q1 2012, 83 in Q4 2011, 77 in Q3 2011, 78 in Q2 2011, 83 in Q1 2011.

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Global & USA Consumer Confidence Declines

Nielsen Global Online Consumer Confidence Survey


Global Consumer Confidence Declines

Global consumer confidence declined three index points to 91 in Q2 2012 amid a worsening Euro zone crisis, lackluster U.S. job growth and China’s downward GDP revision for 2012, according to consumer confidence findings from Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy. Consumer confidence levels above and below a baseline of 100 indicate degrees of optimism and pessimism. Therefore, the current reading indicates a degree of pessimism.

“Consumers are clearly proceeding with caution in relation to their spending intentions,” said Dr. Venkatesh Bala, chief economist at The Cambridge Group, a part of Nielsen. “Consumer confidence lost momentum in the second quarter as global events, including a worsening Euro zone crisis coupled with slowing growth rates in China and India, impacted financial markets and consumer sentiment in many parts of the world. As renewed volatility entered global markets, consumers reacted by reining in spending and consumption intentions.”

Key Findings
● Discretionary spending and saving decreased globally across all sectors
● More than two-thirds (67%) of respondents changed spending habits to save on expenses
● Concern for the economy and job security remained top worries among global respondents
● More than half (57%) of global respondents said they are in recession and half of those believe it will continue for another year
● Indonesia reported the highest consumer confidence index in the survey

Global Online Consumer Confidence The current reading of 91 (-3) is above the chart average (90.4).




Global Online Consumer Confidence by Region Asia Pacific continues highest at 100 (-3), followed by Middle East/Africa at 98 (+1), and Latin America at 96 (-2). North America is next at 88 (+4). Europe continues trailing at 73 (+1).



Confidence by Country Indonesia 120 (+2) is now the most optimistic country, followed by India 119 (-4). Next are Philippines 116 (-2), Saudi Arabia 115 (-4), Malaysia 111 (+4), United Arab Emirates 108 (+3), Brazil 106 (-4), and China 105 (-5). Hungary continues as the most pessimistic country at 30 (-2), followed by Portugal 40 (+1), Italy 41 (-4), Greece 43 (+6), Croatia 45 (nc), South Korea 50 (+1), and Spain 52 (-1).

U.S. Consumer Confidence Consumer confidence in the U.S. plunged -5 to 87 and is mid-tier worldwide. Previous readings were 92 in Q1 2012, 83 in Q4 2011, 77 in Q3 2011, 78 in Q2 2011, 83 in Q1 2011.

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Global Consumer Confidence Improves, Degree of Pessimism Persists

Nielsen Global Online Consumer Confidence Survey


Conditions Are Improved, But Still Fragile Global online consumer confidence increased +5 to 94 and in 38 of 56 markets measured. The economy, job security, and work/life balance were the top 3 global concerns. The survey was conducted between February 10 and February 27, 2012. Consumer confidence levels above and below a baseline of 100 indicate degrees of optimism and pessimism. Therefore, the current reading indicates a degree of pessimism.

Key Findings
● Consumer Confidence around the world increases five points to 94
● Consistent good news outweighed the bad
● Economy and job security remained top concerns
● More than half of global respondents (57%) said they are in a recession
● Overall consumer confidence increased across the regions
● Confidence increased in 16 of 27 European markets

Global Online Consumer Confidence The current reading of 94 (+5) is above the chart average (90.3).




Global Online Consumer Confidence by Region Asia Pacific continues highest at 103 (+4), followed by Latin America at 98 (nc) and the Middle East/Africa at 97 (+2). North America improved dramatically to 92 (+8). Europe continues trailing at 72 (+1).

 

Confidence by Country India continues as the most optimistic country at 123 (+1), followed by Saudi Arabia 119 (+6), Indonesia 118 (+1), Philippines 118 (+1), Brazil 110 (-2), and China 110 (+2). Hungary continues as the most pessimistic country at 32 (+2), followed by Greece 37 (-4), Portugal 39 (+3), Croatia 45 (+2), Italy 45 (-4), and South Korea 49 (+3).

U.S. Consumer Confidence Consumer confidence in the U.S. increased +9 to 92 and is mid-tier worldwide. Previous readings were 83 in Q4 2011, 77 in Q3 2011, 78 in Q2 2011, and 83 in Q1 2011.

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Global Consumer Confidence Flat, Pessimistic: "Some caution for the year ahead"

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Nielsen Global Online Consumer Confidence Survey


Global Consumer Confidence Flat, Pessimistic Global online consumer confidence increased +1 to 89, after 7 consecutive quarterly declines. However, confidence decreased in 35 of 56 global markets measured. The economy, political stability, and increasing food prices were the top 3 global concerns. e survey, conducted between November 23 and December 9, 2011. Consumer confidence levels above and below a baseline of 100 indicate degrees of optimism and pessimism.


Key Findings
● Consumer Confidence around the world increases one point to 89
● China confidence increases four points to 108
● Confidence declines in 24 of 27 European markets
● More than half (52%) describe finances as excellent/good
● 65% think it is not a good time to buy
● U.S. consumer confidence index increases 6 points to 83

Global Online Consumer Confidence The current reading of 89 (+1) is just below the chart average of 89.7.




Global Online Consumer Confidence by Region Asia Pacific was highest at 99 (+2) followed closely by Latin America at 98 (+1). Middle East/Africa continued #3 at 95 (-1), followed by North America at 84 (+5), and Europe at 71 (-3).



Confidence by Country India continues as the most optimistic country at 122 (+1), followed by Indonesia 117 (+3), Philippines 117 (+5), Saudi Arabia 113 (-7), Brazil 112 (0), and China 108 (+4). Hungary continues as the most pessimistic country at 30 (-7), followed by Portugal 36 (-4), Greece 41 (-10), Croatia 43 (+3), and South Korea 46 (+6).

U.S. Consumer Confidence Drops Consumer confidence in the U.S. increased +6 to 83 in Q4 2011, from 77 in Q3 2011, 78 in Q2 2011, and 83 in Q1 2011.

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