Taiwanese consumers feel a bit better about jobs and their own finances, but they are losing faith in the stock market — a warning sign for local investors.

• Consumer confidence rose slightly in August, with hopes for jobs, prices, family finances and the economy all improving.
• Faith in the stock market fell the most of any measure, and confidence in buying big items like cars and fridges slipped too.
• The Taiex dropped below 40,000 points in late July after heavy losses in the U.S. market, driven by inflation worries and fears of an AI bubble.
• Many investors are sitting on the sidelines, waiting for prices to fall further before buying.
• Confidence stayed gloomy across every measure, even though the government just raised its 2026 growth forecast for Taiwan to a 39-year high.

Outlook: Heavy rain in southern Taiwan is pushing up vegetable and fruit prices, which should drag on confidence in next month's reading.