Global consumer confidence fell for a second consecutive week, with the four-week moving average dropping 0.92 points to 98.51 for the week ending August 9. The drop extends a pullback that halted the global recovery from its April 19 low of 93.2.
The decline broadened significantly across global regions. Out of 48 tracked markets, 34 recorded a falling four-week average this week, compared to 25 markets last week and 17 two weeks prior.
Pressure on household sentiment coincided with sustained energy costs, as Brent crude remained near recent highs and European natural gas prices pushed above early-August levels following breakdowns in the Hormuz ceasefire.
In the Americas, U.S. sentiment held essentially flat with a minor 0.03-point dip to 90.36. Peru registered the region’s strongest performance, jumping 2.0 points to 116.11 for its largest weekly gain in over a month. Colombia (122.47) and Brazil (117.45) remained steady at elevated levels, while Chile (83.28) and Argentina (87.69) lagged furthest behind their January baselines.
Europe saw a second straight decline in Germany, where the four-week moving average dropped 2.9 points to 72.57. The Netherlands slipped 4.9 points to 82.05, placing it 8.2% below January baseline figures. Sweden bucked the regional trend, rising 2.1 points to 87.56—up 13.8% from January—while Austria recorded the region’s lowest comparative level versus January at 68.76.
In the Asia-Pacific region, Australia posted the sharpest downturn as its four-week average fell 1.7 points to 86.18, pushing its January comparison negative (−10.3%) for the first time. The drop hit all five components of Australia’s Index of Consumer Sentiment and coincided with the August 3 restoration of the country’s full fuel excise rate at 53.7 cents per liter plus GST.
Business expectations in Australia dropped more sharply than household finance measures. Elsewhere in Asia, China’s four-week average eased 0.96 points to 161.00 despite two straight weeks of gains in its raw weekly reading, South Korea fell 3.1 points to 87.06 amid LNG price exposure, and Singapore recorded the region’s largest deficit against January baselines at 102.27 (−16.4%).
In the Middle East and Africa, the UAE added 1.2 points to reach 148.10, while Saudi Arabia remained near peak levels at 151.59. Israel fell 4.9 points to 97.04, unwinding previous gains for a third straight week. Nigeria rose 2.0 points to 117.20, and Turkey dropped 2.3 points to 67.30 while maintaining a 13.8% gain over its January baseline.
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