Argentina: Consumer sentiment plummets to multi-year low in April
The Universidad Torcuato di Tella (UTDT) consumer confidence index dropped from 43.8 points in March to an almost four-year low of 40.1 points in April. The index is currently below the 50-point threshold that separates pessimistic from optimistic sentiment among consumers, where it has been almost uninterruptedly since January 2016.
April’s print reflected an across-the-board deterioration in all components of the index and in all four geographical areas surveyed. Consumers had a more pessimistic view of personal financial situation, with that subcomponent recording the largest month-on-month drop. It was closely followed by consumers’ view on the macroeconomic outlook and their willingness to purchase durable goods and big-ticket household items (appliances, cars and houses). Lastly, assessments of current and future economic conditions deteriorated as well.