site.bta July 2016 Consumer Confidence down 0.6 Per Cent from April

July 2016 Consumer Confidence down 0.6 Per Cent from April

Sofia, August 5 (BTA) - In July 2016, the total consumer confidence indicator decreased by 0.6 percentage points compared to April, which was due to the diminished confidence among the urban population. The level of the indicator for rural consumers remained unchanged, the National Statistical Institute said on Friday.

Consumers' total assessment of the development of the domestic economic situation over the last 12 months was less negative in comparison with the previous poll, as a result of which the balance indicator increased by 1.6 percentage points. However, their expectations of the next 12 months were somewhat pessimistic.

Consumers continued to consider that consumer prices had increased over the last 12 months, albeit at a lower rate than the assessments registered in the previous poll. At the same time, their inflation expectations about the next 12 months were strengthened. Their expectations of unemployment in the country over the next 12 months were also more negative compared with April.

As regards households' financial situation, the assessments and expectations of urban consumers were worse, while rural inhabitants were more optimistic.

The last poll found a slight improvement of the total assessment of the present situation for making major purchases of durable goods, and consumers' intentions to make such expenditures over the next 12 months were also favourable.