According to the report from INSEE, in September, the consumer confidence indicator rose to 95 points from 93 points in August. Economists had expected a decline to 92 points. The latest reading was the highest since February 2022. However, the index remains below its long-term average (100 points).
INSEE said that the index, which evaluates the opinion of households about their future financial situation, rose by 3 points to -6 points. The index reflecting the opinion of households regarding their past financial situation increased by 2 points, to -21 points. The balance of opinion regarding the opportunity to make major purchases rose by 1 point to -29 points. Meanwhile, the index assessing the opinion of households regarding their current ability to save rose by 2 points, to 18 points. The balance of opinion related to their future ability to save increased by 5 points to 15 points.
The data also showed that the households' opinion on standard of living in France, both past and future, has improved. The balance of opinion corresponding to past trends has risen by 3 points, to -65 points, and the one corresponding to future trends has risen by 6 points, to -38 points. However, both balances remain well below their long-term averages.