empty
25.02.2022 10:01 PM
UK Consumer Confidence plunges

The survey results released on Friday, February 25th, revealed that consumer confidence in the United Kingdom plunged to the lowest levels throughout the pandemic period. Experts note that the British consumers express worried about galloping inflation, as well as higher taxes and interest rates.

UK consumer confidence hits record lows

This image is no longer relevant

About 2,000 people were surveyed in the period from 1 to 14 February. The GfK survey results showed that the consumer confidence index plunged to -26 in February from the previous month's reading of -19. The index hit the lowest level since last January when the British economy suffered from a harsh lockdown.

"Fear about the impact of price rises from food to fuel and utilities, increased taxation and interest rate hikes has created a perfect storm of worries that has shaken consumer confidence", Joe Staton, the GfK client strategy director said.

The worst sentiment of 2022 was noted in relation to personal finance and a broader economic situation.

"There's clear anxiety in these findings as many consumers worry about balancing the household books at the end of the month without going further into debt", Mr. Staton added. He also noted that the UK economic growth may slow down due to the slowing consumer spending.

However, there is room for further declines in consumer confidence. Analysts forecast that the inflation rate rise above 7% in April. It would be the highest rate in the last 30 years. The jump is likely to be caused by a 2-fold increase in domestic energy prices. Besides, experts anticipate a rise in social security contributions.

The Bank of England has already raised its benchmark rate twice since December. Financial analysts expect further hikes to 0.75% in March despite the fact that the central bank forecasts an economic slowdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government has announced some measures to cushion the blow from higher electricity rates. However, it refused to halt increases in national insurance premiums, saying this measure is necessary to pay for UK health and social services.

The GfK indicator reflecting consumers' readiness to make big purchases declined five points to -15.

Apparently, the Bank of England will be forced to hike the rates again due to rising tensions amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

At the time of writing, the pound was trading higher against the US dollar, but the discouraging news may change the trend.

Egor Danilov,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

US Market News Digest for March 21

US stock market in limbo despite positive economic data such as unexpected growth in existing home sales On Thursday, US benchmark stock indices closed in the red: the Dow Jones

Natalia Andreeva 14:48 2025-03-21 UTC+2

Fed's actions to keep BTC from falling? BTC seeks stability

Some analysts believe that the Federal Reserve's current monetary policy—particularly its decision to hold interest rates steady and slow down quantitative tightening (QT)—could provide meaningful support for Bitcoin. According

Larisa Kolesnikova 13:11 2025-03-21 UTC+2

Nasdaq and S&P 500 Fall: Correction Begins or Temporary Panic?

Weekly Jobless Claims Rise to 223,000 Accenture Falls After Fed Contract Cancellation Report PBOC, BoE, Riksbank Hold Rates, Switzerland Cuts Darden Restaurants Rises After Earnings and Guidance Gold Falls From

Thomas Frank 10:11 2025-03-21 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for March 20

Although the S&P 500 shows optimism, its growth since March 14 has been viewed as more of a correction. A move toward the target range of 5,881–5,910 becomes more likely

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:26 2025-03-20 UTC+2

Gold on Fire: Ounce Breaks $3,057, Indexes Also Up

Fed Leaves Rates Unchanged, As Expected Central Bank to Reduce Balance Shelf Life Powell Signals Impact of Tariffs Is Difficult to Determine Gold Hits Record High of $3,057.21 an Ounce

Thomas Frank 10:26 2025-03-20 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for March 19

Nvidia, which should have been celebrating the start of its annual developer conference, saw its shares fall instead. Tesla, still reeling from Elon Musk's latest adventures, took a hit from

Natalia Andreeva 10:52 2025-03-19 UTC+2

Markets in fear: Nasdaq plunges 1.71% while gold hits record highs

Tech stocks sink as gold surges to a new record Nvidia dropped as the conference annual of software developers kicked off. Tesla fell after RBC cut its price target

09:35 2025-03-19 UTC+2

Markets in fear: Nasdaq plunges 1.71%, gold hits record highs

Nvidia falls as annual software developers conference begins Tesla falls after RBC cuts price target Gold hits all-time high of $3,038.90 an ounce Alphabet falls after $32 billion deal

Thomas Frank 06:48 2025-03-19 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for March 18

February data revealed a 0.2% increase in US retail sales, signaling robust consumer activity. However, New York's manufacturing activity declined in March, pointing to localized economic weakness. Despite these mixed

Ekaterina Kiseleva 13:51 2025-03-18 UTC+2

EUR/USD Pauses as S&P 500 Forecasts Worsen – How to Find Balance?

The global market is currently struggling to find balance in key currency pairs and stock instruments. This is particularly challenging given the recent decline of the euro and the weakness

Larisa Kolesnikova 07:52 2025-03-18 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.