The balance figure of the Consumer Confidence Indicator (CCI) stood at minus 10.5 in February, having been minus 8.7 in January and minus 7.3 in December, according to Statistics Finland. One year ago in February, the consumer confidence indicator received the value minus 9.0. The long-term average for the CCI is minus 2.8. The data are based on the Consumer Confidence Survey, to which 1,201 persons resident in Finland responded between 1 and 17 February. In February, economic confidence was exceptionally highest in Northern Finland (CCI minus 5.8) and lowest in Greater Helsinki (minus 13.5). Of the socio-economic groups, upper-level salaried employees were most optimistic (minus 1.9). In February, unemployed people clearly had the gloomiest expectations concerning economic development (minus 25.2). Women (minus 12.3) still described economic development in February as clearly gloomier than men did (minus 8.7). In February, consumers' image of the entire economy weakened compared to January. Views concerning one's own economy at present and also expectations concerning one's own and Finland's economy in 12 months' time were very poor in February. Expectations concerning the economy weakened in February also compared to one year ago. As many as 29 per cent of consumers thought in February that their own economy was worse at the time of the survey than one year ago. Only 21 per cent of consumers considered their own economy better than one year earlier. Two-thirds or 69 per cent of consumers thought in February that Finlands economic situation was now weaker than one year earlier, and only seven per cent saw it as stronger. In February, 18 per cent of consumers believed that Finlands economic situation would improve in the coming twelve months, while as many as 42 per cent of them reckoned that our countrys economy would decline. In all, 27 per cent of consumers believed in February that their own economy would improve and 20 per cent of them feared it would weaken over the year. Consumers' expectations concerning the development of the general unemployment situation in Finland stayed unchanged and fairly gloomy in February. Only 19 per cent of consumers expected that unemployment would decrease over the next year, and over one half, 56 per cent believed it would increase. Employed consumers reckoned that their personal threat of unemployment or lay-off was still very high. Six per cent of employed persons believed that their personal threat had lessened and 29 per cent thought the risk had grown. On the other hand, 36 per cent of employed persons felt in February that they were not threatened by unemployment or temporary lay-off at all. In February, consumers' estimates of the inflation at the time of the survey and concerning price changes in one year's rose clearly. Consumers estimated in February that consumer prices have risen by 4.6 per cent from last year's February and would go up by 4.0 per cent over the next year. Over one-half of consumers, 54 per cent, thought that consumer prices have risen much or fairly much over the year, and as many as 60 per cent of them expected prices to rise at least at the same rate over the coming months as well. As for a long time, the time was regarded very poor in February for taking out a loan and now also for saving. Just 24 per cent of consumers regarded the time favourable for taking out a loan and 41 per cent considered saving worthwhile. However, there were slightly more intentions than usual to raise a loan in February. Sixteen per cent of consumers were planning to raise a loan within one year. Consumers' assessments of their own financial situation were in February slightly weaker than the long-term average. Consumers estimated that they would also have fewer saving possibilities than usual in the coming months. In February, good one half or 54 per cent of consumers had been able to lay aside some money and 70 per cent believed they would be able to do so during the next 12 months. In February, the time was still regarded very unfavourable for buying durable goods. Only 14 per cent of consumers thought the time was favourable for making expensive purchases. Consumers intentions to spend money on durable goods in the next 12 months stayed very low in February. In February, 13 per cent of consumers estimated that they would increase and 40 per cent would reduce their spending on durable goods over the next 12 months. However, as many consumers as the long-term average considered buying a car within one year in February. By contrast, consumers still had fewer plans than usual to buy a dwelling and to renovate their own dwelling. In February, 14 per cent of consumers were either definitely or possibly going to buy a car within the next 12 months. Eleven per cent of consumers considered buying a dwelling or building a house. Sixteen per cent of consumers were planning to spend money on renovating their dwelling during the next 12 months.