Consumers 'hold faith in future'

CONSUMERS remain confident about the future, according to a monthly survey released yesterday.

The December Consumer Sentiment Index, which was published by IIB Bank and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), found that overall consumer sentiment remained positive in Ireland during the month but that people also expected the economic outlook to improve during 2004.

IIB Bank economist Austin Hughes said the results were encouraging when compared to more downbeat results from other countries last month. Similar indicators of consumer confidence stayed low in France and Germany, while American figures showed consumers were becoming less confident about the economy.