Taiwanese consumers feel a bit better about the economy this month, mostly because the summer job crunch is easing — mild good news for workers, but not for stocks or housing.

• The overall consumer confidence index edged up in August, with confidence about finding a job rising the most.
• The job improvement is seasonal: the flood of new graduates hitting the market in June and July is now being absorbed.
• Views on prices, family finances, and the broader economy also improved, but only slightly — close to flat.
• Confidence in buying stocks fell and remains the weakest of all the categories, as big market swings make people doubt they can make money there.
• Appetite for big purchases and property slipped again, keeping Taiwan's housing market in a slump.

Outlook: Job confidence should keep recovering into September as hiring normalizes, while stock and housing sentiment stays weak.