The consumer confidence index slipped to 51.44 points this month with all six gauges turning downward as the public grew uncertain about the economic picture ahead, a survey said yesterday
The survey, conducted by the Research Center for Taiwan Economic Development at National Central University, showed the consumer confidence measure paring 0.67 points from the previous month after the stock market lost steam.
The investment confidence index reported the biggest drop — 2.5 points to 58.4 — after respondents raised doubt about joining the equity market in the next six months.
The TAIEX shed another 72.41 points yesterday with light trading of NT$89.98 billion (US$2.74 billion), bringing the downward correction to 7.2 percent so far this month, Taiwan Stock Exchange data said.
The index on buying durable goods dropped 0.5 points to 79.9 as more consumers voiced plans to cut spending, the survey said.
Meanwhile, the measure of job confidence dropped 0.45 points to 34.95 after unemployment rose to 5.82 percent last month.
The household income and inflation gauges fell by 0.3 points and 0.15 points respectively to 51.55 points and 40.95 points, indicating a deep lack of confidence about economic security.
The score on economic growth slid 0.1 points to 42.9 this month even though key government data showed improvement, the survey said.
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