Consumers starting to gain confidence
The KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 56.6 in January from 49.2 in December. This 7.4 point gain clawed back two thirds of the 10.9 point drop seen between November and December. More than half of those surveyed in January expect their personal finances to worsen, while almost five times as many as expect an improvement.
KBC Bank Ireland chief economist Austin Hughes said the reading suggests Irish consumers remain gloomy about the outlook for their personal finances and the economy as a whole.