Finans Norge: There have been more pessimists
Finans Norge’s expectations barometer for the fourth quarter shows a subdued optimism, it is stated in a statement.
The survey still shows great optimism for the country’s economy next year. Adjusted main indicator rose to 13.7 in the fourth quarter, compared to 11.0 in the third quarter. In the same period last year, the figure was minus 9.9.
– In the previous survey, we saw a record high belief in the country’s economy going forward. Now this has fallen somewhat, at the same time as we see that people no longer have as much faith in their own finances next year. This may be related to both rent increases, high electricity prices and uncertainty about how the changes in the state budget will affect households, says CEO of Finans Norge, Idar Kreutzer, in a comment.
The fourth quarter figures show no sign that people are now imagining the big shopping party. Admittedly, people’s savings intentions go down a bit, but most people have a dissuasive attitude to spending extra capital on larger purchases, travel and renovations, according to Finans Norge.
– With the first rent increase in September, and the fact that more increases are on the way, many will probably hold back a bit to see how the private economy develops. Especially in the age group 60+ and those with the lowest income, there have now been more pessimists than in the previous survey. Here, there are probably many who remember previous rent increases and the consequences of these, says Kreutzer.