Consumer confidence at 10-year record high

Consumer confidence has reached a 10-year high but the compilers of a new poll suggest it remains too early to herald a return to a “feelgood” mentality.

The latest monthly consumer sentiment survey, covering December, from KBC Bank Ireland and the ESRI shows that the strengthening jobs market and increased household spending power resulted in a modest gain in confidence, but one which ultimately pushed sentiment to the strongest point since 2006.

December’s level jumped to 102.8 from 101.7 in November and is now at its highest since a reading of 106.2 in January 2006.