BD manages highest index gain

FE Desk Report | Published: January 20, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Consumers in Asia Pacific's emerging markets remain optimistic despite a slight decline in overall consumer confidence for the region, according to the MasterCard Index™ of Consumer Confidence, released recently.
This decrease comes after the region recorded the highest consumer confidence score in more than 10 years in the previous survey (H1 2014).
Respondents were asked to give a six-month outlook on five economic factors including the economy, employment prospects, regular income prospects, and their quality of life. The Index is calculated with zero as the most pessimistic, 100 as most optimistic and 50 as neutral.
"The index and its accompanying reports do not represent MasterCard's financial performance," said a statement.
Bangladesh recorded the single largest improvement in Asia Pacific, moving from optimistic to very optimistic territory at 83.3 Index points, up 16.9 Index points. It is the only market that saw a double-digit rise in consumer sentiment.
On the other hand, Myanmar, India and Indonesia are the Asia Pacific region's most optimistic markets, with 97.2 Index points, 91.6 Index points and 90.1 Index points, respectively.
"The slight drop in Asia Pacific's consumer confidence reflects an outlook of cautious optimism. Consumers across the region are holding their breath for signs of sustained economic growth and opportunity. Emerging markets Myanmar, India and Indonesia are the most optimistic because of either positive anticipation for a brighter future or excitement around their respective newly-minted governments. Conversely, the developed markets of Northeast Asia, namely Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong were much less optimistic in their outlook. In these markets, the wanted signs of long-term growth and opportunity are blocked by Hong Kong's recent political crisis and Japan's weakening yen," said Pierre Burret, Head of Delivery, Quality & Resource Management for Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, MasterCard Advisors.
The Index is based on a survey conducted between October 2014 and November 2014 on 8,235 respondents aged 18 - 64 in 16 countries across Asia Pacific.
This is the 44th survey of Consumer Confidence conducted since 1993.