Consumer sentiment 'steady but subdued' amid living cost pressures and uncertainty 

Price hikes and living pressures continuing to weigh on consumer thinking

The consumer sentiment index stood at 74.8 this month, effectively unchanged from the January reading of 74.9.

Consumer sentiment remained steady but subdued in February as a threatening economic outlook and cost of living pressures weight on consumer thinking, the latest Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index shows.

In the index’s analysis, economist Austin Hughes noted a spate of price hike announcements through the survey period, suggesting pressure on household finances remains an issue.