Consumer confidence at lowest level in 3 yearsHEIGHTENED CONCERNS: A survey by National Central University showed that consumer concerns are linked to uncertainty caused by the war in IranBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterTaiwan’s consumer confidence declined this month as escalating tensions in the Middle East weighed on sentiment and heightened concerns over inflation and economic risks, a survey released yesterday by National Central University (NCU) said. The consumer confidence index dropped 4.28 points from the previous month to 62.3, the lowest level in three years and two months, the survey showed. Although the government has introduced measures to stabilize energy prices, those policies would delay inflation rather than resolve it altogether, Wu said. As a result, weak consumer sentiment could persist for some time. If the conflict pushes up prices globally, it could also weigh on consumer spending in the US and other major economies.
