June consumer confidence hits lowest level in over a year: Survey

Taipei, June 28 (CNA) Consumer confidence in Taiwan fell to its lowest level in over a year in June, amid uncertainty over U.S. tariffs and a strengthening Taiwan dollar, according to National Central University (NCU).

The consumer confidence index (CCI), based on a survey conducted June 18-21, fell 1.23 points from May to 63.7, the lowest level since April 2024, when it stood at 63.37. All six components of the index declined.

The CCI measures consumer sentiment over the next six months in six areas: prices, the local economic climate, the stock market, durable goods purchases, employment prospects and family finances.

Among the six factors, the stock market sub-index fell the most, dropping 2.86 points to 23.96, its lowest level since January 2023, when it stood at 20.8, the survey found.

The sub-index for the local economic climate fell 1.05 points to 81.11 in June. Employment dropped 0.99 points to 70.71, consumer prices slipped 0.9 points to 32.47, family finances decreased 0.84 points to 77.06 and durable goods purchases, such as cars, fell 0.75 points to 96.88, the survey showed.

Dachrahn Wu (吳大任), director of the NCU Research Center for Taiwan Economic Development, said Taiwanese exporters have grown more cautious as the 90-day pause on U.S. reciprocal tariffs, announced April 9, nears its end.

Wu said the rapid appreciation of the Taiwan dollar against the U.S. dollar has put additional pressure on local exporters, eroding their profit margins. He added that if the currency continues to rise, exporters fear facing greater foreign exchange losses in the future.

According to NCU, a CCI subindex score between 0 and 100 indicates pessimism, while scores between 100 and 200 reflect optimism. In June, no factors reached optimistic levels, the university said.

Also in June, a separate NCU survey conducted with Taiwan Realty showed the home-buying index fell 0.57 points month-on-month to 94.62 -- its lowest level in nearly five years.

The university's June CCI survey collected 3,097 responses from Taiwanese consumers aged 20 and older. It has a 95 percent confidence level with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.