Brazil’s consumer confidence index gained 0.5 points in October to reach 84.7, returning to its August level. The expectations measure improved, while households’ assessment of present conditions deteriorated. The three-month average still fell, and an economist at the survey institution pointed to debt and payment arrears as constraints on further gains.
Brazil’s consumer confidence index rose 0.5 points in October to 84.7 on a seasonally adjusted basis. The survey is compiled by the Brazilian Institute of Economics at Fundação Getúlio Vargas, a research foundation. The increase returned the index to its August level. Its three-month moving average nevertheless fell 1.2 points to 84.5.[1], [2]
The expectations index rose 2.8 points to 88.0. Within it, expectations for household finances gained 3.0 points to 86.9, and intentions to buy durable goods rose 3.2 points to 75.5. The current situation index moved in the opposite direction, falling 2.6 points to 81.4, its lowest reading since March 2025.[1]
The present household-finances measure fell 3.1 points to 71.3, while satisfaction with the local economy declined 2.2 points to 91.8. Institute economist Rodolpho Tobler cautioned that the overall monthly gain merely offset September’s decline and that confidence remained pessimistic. He identified high household debt and payment arrears as possible limits on sustained improvement in the final quarter.[1]
