The consumer confidence index (CCI) rose to a new high in almost a year and a half this month as more people regained confidence in the economy, a survey released yesterday showed.
The index gained 4.11 points to 60.56 — slightly higher than June last year’s 60.23 — but still significantly below the neutral 100-point mark, according to the survey by the Research Center for Taiwan Economic Development at National Central University.
Of the six measures, the reading on the economic outlook saw the biggest increase, rebounding 9.5 points to 53.55, the highest in 17 months, the poll said. The employment outlook sub-index reported the second-strongest improvement, up 6.3 points to 38.9, after the jobless rate slowed last month.
The sub-index on household income also improved to 56.95, from 52.35 a month earlier, said the poll, which questioned 2,400 Taiwanese aged 20 and above between Oct. 19 and 22.
Meanwhile, the sub-indexes on durable goods purchases and stock investment rose 1.85 points and 1.8 points to 84.5 and 85.2 respectively, the survey said.
The reading on future commodity prices saw the least increase — 0.6 points to 44.25, from 43.65 a month earlier, the poll said.
Although all six sub-indexes gained ground, their value remained low, the survey said, adding that any reading below 100 indicates pessimistic sentiment.
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