The year-on-year comparison shows a three point slump in consumer confidence from January 2012. However, this month's index was five percentage points higher than the long-term average.

Consumers' expectations and views on the present and past conditions have mostly improved, with the only index to go down compared to December being the general economic conditions in the country in the past 12 months.

More optimism was also recorded in the outlook for home improvements in the next year, which is measured every three months. The index was four points higher than in October 2012, six points higher year-on-year and eight points higher than the 2012 average.