Consumer confidence increases to best level in 21 months

Chinese consumer confidence rose to a 21-month high this month, helped by a rebound in the housing and stock markets - positive signs that may drive up overall growth in the fourth quarter, an international finance group said on Wednesday.

The Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Index, an indicator based on figures gathered by the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, increased to 157.1 in November, from 155.1 in October and 152.3 in September.

The index reflects consumer price expectations of 1,000 Chinese aged over 14.