Friday preview: GfK consumer confidence survey, Michigan sentiment due

(Sharecast News) - There are no major UK corporate releases due on Friday, but the latest GfK consumer confidence survey will be out. Last month, the survey showed that confidence hit its highest level in two years in August.

GfK's long-running consumer confidence index improved to -14 from -17 in July, with four of the confidence measures up and one down.

Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK, an NIQ company, said at the time: "Does all this mean that people have greater faith in the new government to increase growth and job opportunities? Can consumers finally see an end to the cost-of-living crisis? It would be tempting to say yes, but frankly it's too soon to tell.

"With inflation back on the rise - now at 2.9% and the highest in four months - and with continued uncertainty in the Middle East and elsewhere, there are still many challenges ahead that will test the mettle of UK consumers."

In the US, the Michigan consumer sentiment index for September will be out, along with durable goods orders for August.