Consumer sentiment boosted by positive Budget
The IIB Bank/ESRI Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 103.9 in December, up from an unexpected low of 92.6 in November.
IIB Bank chief economist Austin Hughes says the sharp rise in consumer sentiment last month is partly a correction after the surprise fall in November. "We think a positive assessment of Mr Cowen's Budget was also a driver of the improvement in sentiment last month. It is notable that, the strongest gains were seen in aspects of the survey connected with the economy as a whole rather than consumers' own personal financial situation.
