16th Feb 2026 10:10
(Alliance News) - UK consumer sentiment on future finances worsened slightly in February, data published by S&P Global showed Monday.
The S&P Global UK consumer sentiment index rose to a three-month high of 44.8 points in February from 44.6 in January. Getting closer to the neutral 50-point mark separating growth from contraction, it indicates the pace of deterioration in consumer sentiment decelerated in February.
The household finance index climbed to a four-month high of 43.7 points in February from 43.0 in January. The index for current finances ameliorated to a three-month high of 41.2 points in February from 39.7 in January.
Notably however, the future index for expected finances in 12 months' time worsened to 46.1 points in February from 46.3 in January.
Further, the debt sentiment index worsened to a 23-month low of 48.2 points in February from 49.2 in January.
Meanwhile, the savings index rose to 42.9 points in February from 41.5 in January.
Maryam Baluch, economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence said: "The mood among UK households matches the dismal weather seen so far this year across the country. Although the overall degree of gloom has lifted slightly since January, consumer confidence continues to run at one of the lowest levels seen over the past two years. A period of prolonged rain and a dearth of sunshine have no doubt not helped to lift the low spirits seen among households, but there's more going on here than just bad weather. Households are growing increasingly worried about debt in particular, especially as a rising need for credit was met with the steepest decline in availability of loans since August 2024."
She added: "Households' appetite for major purchases was impacted by the lack of confidence and debt worries, with sentiment around big ticket expenditure slipping to the lowest in ten months. The low appetite to spend bodes ill for the broader impetus to purchase, hinting at a sustained drag on economic growth from sluggish consumer spending in the first quarter."
The survey is based on monthly responses from approximately 1,500 individuals in the UK, with data collected by Ipsos MORI from its panel of respondents aged 18 to 64. The responses were collected between February 5 and 9.
By Tom Budszus, Alliance News slot editor
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