Consumers in 10 out of 14 countries surveyed in the Asia-Pacific region are less optimistic about the first six months of 2011 than they were about the previous six-month period, according to MasterCard's bi-annual Consumer Confidence Index. In contrast, consumers in India are more optimistic, with the Index score at 73.0 (for H1 2011). The score is at its highest since a drop to 63.9 (H2 2008). The average score for Asia-Pacific is 68.0 (H1 2011). (See table)

The Index measures consumer confidence on five economic indicators. India is also the only market in the region where consumers were more optimistic about all five survey indicators than they were six months ago: Regular Income (75.4 for H1 2011 vs 74.0 for H2 2010), Quality of Life (71.3 vs 67.3), Employment (70.8 vs 65.0), Economy (72.2 vs 64.5) and Stock Market (75.1 Vs 70.2).

Among Indian cities, consumers in Chennai (90.7) and Bangalore (85.6) displayed the highest levels of optimism. While consumers in Mumbai (76.6) maintained optimism, those in Delhi are less positive about the January to June 2011 period, reporting an index score of 38.0.

The index score is calculated as: 0 (most pessimistic), 100 (most optimistic) and 50 (neutral). The findings for H1 2011 are based on surveys conducted from 13 September to 11 November 2010, among 830 consumers across India.

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