Global Consumer Confidence Gains

Consumer confidence rose in several global markets in the first quarter, the U.S. among them. But while the U.S. score gained four points, its rating of 93 was still below the 100 mark that signals consumers are “pessimistic about the outlook.”

According to the Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index, worldwide confidence rose 2 points in the first quarter after dipping 1 point in the previous quarter.

Other major consumer markets that showed noticeable improvement were Japan, up 14 points, and Germany, up four. Neither of these markets, however, were among the 10 highest-rated in the quarter.

Indonesia ranked as the most optimistic market, followed by India, the Philippines, Thailand and Brazil. The lowest rated were Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Italy and Croatia, reflecting ongoing austerity and other economic issues in Eastern and Southeastern Europe.

The Reuters News Service noted that Japan’s  leap of confidence accompanied moves by the central bank to aggressively boost economic stimulus. It was Japan’s highest consumer confidence score since 2006.

Canadians were in the top 10 most optimistic consumers in the latest poll, but Nielsen was cautious about the outlook for consumers in the United States.

“Americans are in phase two of the economic recovery, however for many it just doesn’t feel that way,” said Nielsen’s senior vp, global consumer insights, James Russo.”Three years of strong gains in the equity market are balanced by five years of declining median household incomes,which highlights the economic divide and precarious state of the recovery.”