Lebanese confidence index improves, yet low

The consumer confidence index (CCI) in Lebanon made an improvement in the first half of 2014, however, it remained at the fourth-lowest levels since 2007.

The Byblos Bank/AUB Consumer Confidence Index registered an average of 33.4 in the first half of 2014, rising by 16.5% against the second half of 2013, reported The Daily Star.

The index reached 29.2 in a survey issued in January 2014, compared to 28.6 in December 2013, registering a growth by 2.1%.

In 2014, the index increased by 2.8% to 30 in February, and rose by another 13.2% to 33.9 in March.

On a monthly basis, the index reached 37.3 in April 2014, recording an increase of 10%, compared to March and to the highest level since September 2012.

However, the index fell by 2.4% to 36.4 in May, and dropped by another 8.6% to 33.3 in June 2014.

The Daily Star noted that “Despite the improvement, the results of the first and second quarters of 2014 showed an extension of the low confidence level that have prevailed since the fourth quarter of 2010 and that worsened since the fourth quarter of 2011.”

Photo Credit: Arabianeye-Reuters
Mubasher Contribution Time: 04-Jan-2015 14:33 (GMT)