CPI drops to new six-year low in December

Consumer confidence has continued to decline in December to hit a new low, according to the results of a monthly survey released yesterday.

The survey results, issued by National Central University's Research Center for Taiwan's Economic Development, show that the consumer confidence index (CPI) for December stands at 62.58, down 0.76 points from the previous month and marking the lowest level since December 2001.

Four out of the six sub-indices fell in December, with the sub-index for stock market investing over the next six months seeing the largest decline, dropping 3.4 points from November's level to stand at 70.90.

The second largest decrease was seen in the sub-index for durable good purchases for the next six months, which lost 1.05 points to stand at 108.95.

The sub-index for domestic economic outlook over the next six months fell 0.2 points to 46.35, while the sub-index for family finances for the next six months slid 0.1 points to 49.00, the lowest level since the survey began in January 2001.

The sub-index for employment opportunities for the next six months leveled off at 72.10.

The only sub-index that increased in December was that for domestic consumer prices for the next six months, which gained 0.15 points to stand at 28.15.

The survey of 2,344 adults around Taiwan was carried out via telephone Dec. 20-22. It has a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.