A consumer confidence index for the cross-strait and Hong Kong/Macao regions for the second quarter of 2026 was released on July 8, showing a decline in Hong Kong's overall consumer confidence while sentiment toward stock investment improved.
Hong Kong's overall consumer confidence index stood at 85 in the second quarter, down 4.4% from the previous quarter. Among the sub-indices, the employment outlook recorded the sharpest drop, falling 9.2% quarter-on-quarter. Confidence in property purchases declined 7.8%, and the economic development sub-index fell 7.7%. The price conditions sub-index dropped 3.3%, remaining the lowest among the six categories. Although the living expenditure sub-index edged down 2.2% from the prior quarter, it remained the highest sub-index and hovered near the neutral threshold of 100, indicating respondents were broadly neutral on this category.
In contrast, the sub-index for stock investment rose 2.9% quarter-on-quarter — the only category to register an increase — suggesting that Hong Kong consumers grew more confident about investing in equities.
The survey is jointly conducted and compiled by Capital University of Economics and Business, Central University of Finance and Economics, City University of Hong Kong, Macau University of Science and Technology, and Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan. The index scale ranges from 0 to 200, with scores below 100 indicating "lack of confidence" and above 100 indicating "confidence." The Hong Kong portion was researched by the Department of Decision Analytics and Operations Sciences at City University of Hong Kong, using computer-randomized sampling and telephone interviews with 502 locally resident Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above.
Other findings from the cross-strait and Hong Kong/Macao survey showed that in the second quarter of 2026, Mainland China's overall consumer confidence index rose to 97.9, up 3.2 year-on-year and 3.4 quarter-on-quarter, signaling a rebound in consumer sentiment. Macao's overall index stood at 97.99, with both the total and sub-indices recovering, reflecting improved consumer expectations compared to the previous quarter. Taiwan's consumer confidence indicator registered 91.75, with the price level sub-index remaining the lowest — the most pressing concern among the public there.
Related News:
Julius Baer report: Singapore tops global wealth and lifestyle for 4th Year, HK drops to 4th place
Watch This | Speech by CE at Hong Kong FIC & Bond Connect Summit
Comment