Consumer confidence continues to rise as it hits highest level since 2001

CONSUMER optimism continues to rise, hitting its highest level since November 2001.

While the latest measure of consumer sentiment strengthened, the numbers of people concerned about the immediate financial and economic outlook disimproved for the second successive month.

The IIB Bank/Eonomic and Social Research Institute consumer sentiment index rose to 99.6 in October from 99.5 in September.