Consumer confidence has declined marginally owing to weaker sentiments, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s latest round of its bi-monthly consumer confidence survey.

The current situation index (CSI) moderated by 0.7 points to 94.0 in November 2024. Households displayed somewhat higher optimism on one year ahead outlook for major economic parameters, except prices; the future expectations index (FEI) improved by 0.5 points to 121.9 in the latest survey. 

“Even as the respondents’ sentiments towards current earning moderated marginally, they displayed high optimism on future income which was consistent with their surmise on employment conditions,” the survey report said

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Households anticipated higher spending over one year horizon on the back of higher essential as well as non-essential spending. 

Households’ median perception of current inflation rose by 30 basis points (bps) to 8.4 per cent, as compared to the previous survey round

Median inflation expectation for three months horizon moderated marginally by 10 bps to 9.1 per cent, whereas it inched up by 10 bps to 10.1 per cent for one year ahead period

The share of households anticipating higher inflation for the three months ahead was a shade lower vis-à-vis the previous survey round due to anticipation of lower pressures from non-food items and cost of services 

Compared to September 2024 round of the survey, somewhat larger share of respondents expects the year ahead price and inflation to increase, mainly due to higher pressures from food items and housing related expenses 

One year ahead price expectation of households is closely aligned with food prices and housing related expenses