News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

Households slightly more upbeat about their current economic situation but remain unsure about their own finances

Consumer confidence flat but business sentiment drops

Bank of Ireland's "Economic Pulse" fell to 92.4 in May as consumer sentiment held steady while business sentiment dropped.

Business • 29 May 17

The April KBC/ESRI Consumer Sentiment Index also indicates 'a mood of cautious optimism'

Consumer sentiment remains steady in April - KBC/ESRI

Consumer sentiment in Ireland was mostly steady last month, with increased caution about the outlook for household finances offsetting a slightly more positive view of prospects for the economy here.

Business • 09 May 17

Although there was a recovery in sentiment in early part of the year among consumers in the capital, this only reversed about half of the sharp deterioration seen in the previous quarter

Consumers outside Dublin more optimistic - KBC/ESRI

Consumers in Dublin were more concerned over the economic outlook than people in the rest of the country during the first three months of the year, according to the latest KBC/ESRI Consumer Sentiment Index.

Economy • 27 Apr 17

The improvement in Irish consumer sentiment mirrors stronger readings in comparable recent US indicators

Slight improvement in consumer sentiment in March - KBC

Consumer sentiment improved slightly in March, largely because of a slight easing of concerns about household finances, according to the latest consumer sentiment survey from KBC/ESRI.

Business • 31 Mar 17

The KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI consumer sentiment index fell to 100.7 last month from 103.1 in January

Consumer sentiment edges lower in February

Consumer sentiment edged slightly lower in February, a new survey showed today, which largely reflected a reversal of the seasonal jump a month earlier.

Business • 07 Mar 17

The KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI Consumer Sentiment Index jumped to 103.1 in January from 96.2 in December

Consumer sentiment sees biggest rise in 7 months

Consumer sentiment reversed the slide recorded for much of 2016 when it rose at the fastest pace in seven months in January, a new survey shows today.

Business • 03 Feb 17

December's consumer sentiment index slipped to 96.2 in December from 97.8 in November

Consumer sentiment falls to near two year low

Consumer sentiment has fallen to its lowest level in almost two years, according to a new survey by KBC Bank Ireland and the ESRI.

Business • 10 Jan 17

The KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI Consumer Sentiment index fell back to 102 in September from 102.7 in August

Consumer sentiment dips ahead of Budget 2017

Consumer sentiment edged slightly lower last month, as consumers remain uncertain and nervous about the economic outlook, a new survey shows today.

Business • 03 Oct 16

The latest KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI consumer sentiment survey rose to 102.7 in August,

Consumer sentiment recovers from Brexit slump

New figures show that Irish consumer sentiment improved in August after July's steep fall as people remain cautiously optimistic on the outlook for the Irish economy and their own household finances.

Business • 07 Sep 16

The 3.8% drop was smaller than the monthly declines seen in either March or May and was ahead of expectations

July consumer sentiment fall lower than expected

Irish consumer sentiment fell in July following the UK’s decision to leave the EU, but the scale of the drop was not as bad as may have been expected – according to a new survey.

Business • 03 Aug 16

Euro zone economic sentiment fell to 104.4 this month from an downwardly revised 104.6 in May, Commission figures show

Euro zone sentiment dips as consumers less upbeat

Euro zone economic sentiment dipped in June as industry gains were outweighed by less optimism among service firms and consumers, while inflation expectations rose, data from the European Commission showed today.

Business • 29 Jun 16

The GfK consumer sentiment indicator rose to 10.1 going into July, from 9.8 a month earlier

German consumer morale brightens further

German consumer morale reached its highest level in nearly a year heading into July, a survey showed today, indicating that private consumption will continue to drive growth in Europe's biggest economy.

Business • 29 Jun 16

The KBC Bank/ESRI consumer sentiment index fell to 98.1 in May from 102.7 in April

Consumer sentiment falls to 14 month low in May

Consumer sentiment has fallen to its lowest level in more than a year, according to a new survey by KBC Bank Ireland and the ESRI.

Business • 31 May 16

KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI's consumer sentiment index rose to 102.7 in April from March's reading of 100.6

Consumer sentiment edges higher in April

Consumer sentiment improved marginally in April as many consumers continue to struggle to make sense of an unclear economic environment.

Business • 05 May 16

KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI consumer sentiment index fell from 105.8 to 100.6 in March

Consumer sentiment at six month low in March

Consumer sentiment weakened in March on the back of increased economic uncertainty both at home and internationally, a new index shows today.

Business • 06 Apr 16

The KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI Consumer Sentiment Index climbed to 108.6 in January from 103.9 the previous month

Consumer sentiment at highest level since 2001

Consumer sentiment surged to a 15-year high in January, a survey showed today, a boost for government parties pinning their re-election hopes on a strong economic recovery.

Business • 08 Feb 16

$German government expects GDP to expand by 1.7% in 2016, fractionally slower than an earlier forecast of 1.8%.$

Germany pares back 2016 growth forecast to 1.7%

The German government has trimmed back its economic forecast for the current year, but insisted that Europe's biggest economy was still "in good shape".

Business • 27 Jan 16

Consumers were more optimistic about the jobs market and the wider economy

Consumer sentiment hits 10 year high - KBC/ESRI

Consumer sentiment hit a ten year high in December, according to the latest survey from KBC Bank Ireland and the ESRI.

Business • 12 Jan 16

The survey shows consumers are notably more positive about the general economic environment than their own household finances

Consumer sentiment slightly higher in October

Irish consumer sentiment edged higher in October, reversing a slight weakening seen in September.

Business • 04 Nov 15

The euro zone's overall economic sentiment rose to 105.9 this month from 105.6 in September,

Euro zone sentiment rises in October

Euro zone economic sentiment improved more than expected in October, mainly driven by stronger confidence in the retail and construction sectors,

Business • 29 Oct 15

KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI consumer sentiment index weakened to stand at 100.6 in September from 101.1 in August

Consumer sentiment hit by global concerns

Consumer sentiment inched lower in September compared to August as global concerns and people's household finances continued to hit confidence.

Business • 01 Oct 15

German Ifo's business climate index rose to 108.5 in September from an upwardly revised 108.4 in August

German business morale rises unexpectedly

German business morale rose unexpectedly for the third month in a row in September, a new survey shows today.

Business • 24 Sep 15

Consumers said their personal finances declined in the past year - but they expected an improvement in the coming 12 months

Consumer sentiment falls on global concerns

Consumer sentiment fell in July, according to a survey by KBC Bank Ireland and the ESRI, as local and international factors made people more apprehensive.

Business • 29 Jul 15

KCB Bank/ESRI consumer sentiment index rose to 102.8 in June from 98.5 in May

Consumer sentiment rises to nine year high in June

Consumer sentiment has risen to its highest level in nine years on the prospect of tax cuts in the Budget as well as expected public sector pay increases.

Business • 02 Jul 15

Respondents to the survey said their finances had improved in the previous year - and expected that to continue in the months ahead

Rise in consumer sentiment in April - KBC/ESRI

Consumer sentiment has risen slightly in April, according to a survey by KBC Bank Ireland and the ESRI, though it remains below its January peak.

Business • 29 Apr 15