consumer confidence

According to the quarterly survey by the Nielsen Company global consumer confidence declined in the second quarter to the lowest level since the second half of 2009, the height of the global economic downturn. In the United States consumer sentiment was weaker than one and a half year ago.

The survey reveals that consumers across the globe continue tightening their belts and plan to cut their expenses on different luxuries and extra things.

US reports this week showed that consumer confidence impaired in December while single-family home prices dropped double the expected pace in October which contributed to optimism about economic recovery.

The Conference Board reported that worries over the jobs market pushed an index of consumer attitudes to 52.5 in December from 54.3 in November. It is below the median of forecasts from analysts polled by Reuters for a reading of 56.0.

Gold remained near its two-week high above $1,400 on Wednesday as the US scraggy economic data boosted the metal's safe-haven appeal, while bullish forecast for next year helped keep the market sentiment buoyant.

According to the latest data from the United States consumer confidence deteriorated in December while prices of single-family homes dropped almost twofold of the expected rate. It questioned the accelerating recovery of the world’s largest economy.

The latest data from the Conference Board showed that consumer confidence rose slightly in October but it still remains near historically low levels. The group reported that its index of consumer attitudes rose to 50.2 in October from a revised 48.6 in September.

Meantime, the median of 72 forecasts from analysts polled by Reuters was for a reading of 49.2. Forecasts ranged from 45.0 to 53.0.

The expectations index rose to 67.8 in October from 65.5 last month. The present situation index increased to 23.9 from 23.3.

VeriSign, Inc., the trusted provider of Internet infrastructure for the networked world, has entered into an alliance with MerchantCircle, the nation's largest social network of local business owners, to offer its 1.3 million members a service to build increased confidence with consumers by displaying the VeriSign Trusted™ Seal.

US gross domestic product could grow at an annual rate of as much as 3 percent next year as consumers and businesses start to regain confidence, Peter Cardillo, chief market economist from Avalon Partners, told CNBC Tuesday.

"It's all a question of confidence and that confidence is coming back. It's not only coming back among the consumers, but it's also coming back among the businesses," Cardillo said.

 In a recent interview to a media edition Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., noted that while the economy of the United States in no longer in the "emergency room," a full recovery isn't imminent.

 A quarterly survey by The Nielsen Company, conducted between September 28 and October 16 showed that global consumer confidence is bouncing back with the United States reporting a positive trend for the first time since 2007.

Highest confidence levels were recorded in India, Indonesia and Norway with the weakest reported in Japan, Latvia, Portugal and South Korea. Yet in Korea the index has significantly improved.

Visa’s research revealed that 61 % of online shoppers in the Asia-Pacific region are satisfied with current levels of online payment security, but more can be done. Through market research firm Ipsos, the payment card company surveyed over 9,100 Internet users in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea and Singapore who went online at least once a week.

According to the last survey of Javelin Strategy & Research and eBillme, the forecast of consumer spending online looks very positive. The amount of spending is going to increase 8% this quarter and reach $267 compared to $247 last quarter.  Despite the slight growth in online spending, the rates of offline retail sales do not look very cheerful.

According to the eBillme(TM) Online Spending Index, a quarterly inquiry examining consumer’s spending trends online, 50 percent of consumers reported they will have more confidence in the economy while more than 1 in 4 feel more comfortable increasing their everyday spending now that the new administration has come. This quarter’s Index shows cautious optimism in the conditions of still existing uncertainty about economic conditions