Brexit And Terror Fears Loom Large For German Consumers

Brexit and terror fears loom large for German consumers

FRANKFURT, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Sep, 2016 ) - German consumers' mood brightened slightly in September, a monthly survey found on Wednesday, but researchers spotlighted fears of trouble in the wake of Brexit and a summer of violence.

The headline consumer sentiment index from market research firm GfK crept up to 10.2 points in September. But the pollsters said that "just the announcement that Britain would leave the EU has caused increased uncertainty" and forecast a slight fall in consumer confidence in October.

Analysts surveyed by Factset had predicted the index would remain steady in October.

GfK warned that "overall the atmosphere among consumers was slightly weakened," pointing to sub-indices that showed falling inclination to buy, income expectations, and expectations for the whole economy.

GfK acknowledged that the overall reading reflected a "stable mood at a good level" so far, while all three sub-indices remain at higher levels than the same time last year. The European Central Bank in September lowered its growth forecast for the 19-nation eurozone in 2017 and 2018 slightly, partly in response to the June 23 vote.