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Global Consumer Confidence Rebounds: Nielsen Consumer Confidence Index up Nine Points in Last Six Months but Spending Still Restrained.

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The world is emerging from the economic crisis, and with it, global consumer confidence is rebounding, according to the latest edition of the Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index, which jumped from 77 index points in April to 86 points this month. Brazil and key Asian markets are posting double-digit increases in consumer sentiment, while the U.S. recorded its first increase in consumer confidence since 2007. Despite this renewed sense of optimism, actual behavior remains restrained; many consumers remain skittish about spending their money, and in some countries, spending habits appear to have changed permanently (see also The Nielsen Company).

Nielsen's Global Consumer Confidence Index tracks consumer confidence, major concerns and spending habits among more than 30,500 Internet users in 54 countries. In the latest round of the survey conducted between September 28 and October 16, 2009, Hong Kong posted the largest consumer confidence increase in the third quarter compared to Q2, up 14 points from 79 to 93 index points, followed by South Korea (+13 points) and Brazil (+12 points).

India, Indonesia and Norway continued to top the global rankings for the most confident nations, while the most pessimistic nations were Latvia and Japan. Consumer confidence rose in 45 out of the 52 countries compared to six months ago. (Ukraine and Saudi Arabia were added in the latest round of the survey.) In April, the Nielsen Consumer Confidence Index hit its lowest point of 77 index points, but as massive stimulus plans began to take effect around the world during the second quarter, consumer confidence slowly began to recover.

"A nine-point surge in consumer confidence signifies a welcome return to positive...

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