Rio, 11/5/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The latest survey on Consumer Expectations ("Sondagem de Expectativas do Consumidor") for the month of October, which is conducted by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV), found an improvement in the way consumers see the economic situation in the country. The percentage of interviewees who thought the situation was normal rose from 24.76% in July to 26.97%, with a corresponding drop in the percentage who thought the situation was bad (down from 70.58% to 68.32%). The percentage who thought the situation was good remained practically stable (4.66% in July, and 4.71% in October).

The FGV also asked for an opinion on the situation six months ago compared to now and that showed an increase in those who thought it was better (from 14.38% in July, to 20.39% now). (AB)