Consumer sentiment positive

Irish consumer sentiment is now amongst the most positive, internationally, with new data suggesting May’s pessimism was reversed last month.

The latest monthly sentiment gauge from KBC Bank (Ireland) and the ESRI shows a reversal in the confidence declines that were evident in May. It claims that Irish consumers are slightly less pessimistic about their personal finances due to falling oil and fuel prices and hopes for further ECB interest rate cuts.

The “modestly improving” trend in consumer sentiment through the first half of 2012 “reflects signs of stabilisation in the Irish economy”, according to the June edition of the survey, which was published yesterday.