REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, LONDON - Global consumer confidence edged higher in the third quarter, underpinned by an improvement in the United States, although uncertainty about the economy continued to cap spending, a survey showed. Confidence remained strongest in emerging markets, headed by India and Indonesia. 

The survey was conducted between Aug. 10 and Sept. 7 and covered more than 29,000 online consumers across 58 markets. Sixty two percent of global consumers said they believed their national economies were in recession, up from 57 percent in the previous quarter, according to the survey by global information company Nielsen, released on Monday. 

Half of respondents expected recession to last for another year. Sixty nine percent of respondents said they were changing their spending habits to save more.      

Confidence remained strongest in emerging markets, headed by India and Indonesia. Thailand, Belgium, Australia and Norway also saw a noticeable increase in confidence while sentiment deteriorated sharply in Hong Kong, Israel, Argentina, and South Korea.

The Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index rose 1 point in the third quarter to 92, after dipping 3 points in the second quarter, and was 4 points higher than a year earlier. The reading of below 100 nevertheless signals consumers are pessimistic about the outlook. 

Venkatesh Bala, chief economist at The Cambridge Group, a part of Nielsen, said further policy action was needed to boost global consumer confidence. "Much depends upon policymakers in the U.S., Europe and Asia to ensure healthy growth and lower unemployment as we move into 2013," Bala said. 

"Support for the weaker economies in Europe and eliminating the threat of combined tax increases and federal spending cuts in the U.S. are critical. Emerging economies, such as China and India, need to also shift more toward domestic consumption and industrial liberalization respectively. 

"With the right policy actions, the global consumer will gain confidence to resume spending next year," he added.

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