After falling in July and September polls, consumer confidence in Brazil remained steady in the latest Sensus poll (November) with 52.7% of those interviewed saying government economic policy is inadequate, and 35.3% saying it is correct.
These polls are carried out every two months under the auspices of the Brazilian National Transportation Confederation (CNT).
The only significant change in the three polls (July, September and November) was a drop in those saying economic policy was correct (it was 40.2% in the July poll).
The difference, in the three polls, between those who said economic policy was inadequate was less than one percentage point (As the poll has a three percentage point margin of error, that difference is insignificant).
The numbers were also steady in the last two polls (September and November) with regard to opinions about the future. Those who were positive were 41.2% and 42.3%, respectively. And those who were negative about the future 48.6% and 49.4%.
The Sensus/CNT poll was conducted at the beginning of November in 24 states where 2,000 people were interviewed.
Industrial Sector
Another survey, this one by the Economic Research Institute at Brazil’s Getúlio Vargas Foundation has found that businessmen in the industrial sector are less optimistic about next year, at least as far as their investment plans go.
The survey asked 1,015 businessmen about their plans for new machinery and equipment for 2006. The result was that 38% said they would be making new investments. For the sake of comparison, the same survey for 2005 found that 52% of those interviewed said they had investment plans.
This is the fourth consecutive year that the survey has been conducted. This year’s survey showed lower optimism in all the categories surveyed, compared to 2004.
Even so, the vast majority of those interviewed remain positive. For example, in 2004, 83% said they expected more sales revenue. This year that number was 72% – down, but still high.
Agência Brasil