Minor rise in consumer sentiment but still close to historic lows

CONSUMER sentiment rose last month but is still close to historic lows, reflecting worries about job security and future income flows.

Although the index rose marginally in April it remains close to its “lowest levels,” said David Duffy, economist with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

The measure of sentiment is published in the KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI Consumer Sentiment Index which rose to 46.8 in April from 44.1 in March.