According to the October survey, consumer sentiment has dampened further compared with the previous quarter. Consumers' assessment of their own financial situation has fallen to a new historic low. Willingness to make large purchases remains well below average. In contrast, perceptions of the labour market remain highly positive. The consumer sentiment index (now at -47 points) fell again compared with the July survey, reaching its lowest level since the survey began in 1972. For one thing, consumers' expectations on how the general economic situation is expected to develop over the next 12 months have become even ... (full story)