Shanghai, April 15. The Shanghai Social Survey Research Center’s Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE) branch and other institutions released the “First Quarter 2026 Shanghai Socioeconomic Index Series” today. The indices show that this quarter, the Shanghai Consumer Confidence Index stands at 93.0 points, a rebound of 2.4 points; the Investor Confidence Index stands at 123.8 points, a rebound of 6.5 points, presenting a dual-rise situation.

This index series covers consumer and investor confidence indices. The Consumer Confidence Index is derived from the composite of the Evaluation Index (reflecting current economic conditions) and the Expectation Index (outlook for future economic prospects). The Investor Confidence Index is composed of four core indices. All indices use 100 points as the balance point.

Compared with the previous quarter, the Consumer Confidence Index rebounded significantly this quarter. The Evaluation Index is 93.2 points, up 3.1 points; the Expectation Index is 92.6 points, remaining largely stable. Looking at various dimensions, the Income Expectation Index is 106.2 points, a significant increase of 3.4 points; the Income Evaluation Index is slightly below the baseline and largely stable, indicating a gradual repair of household financial conditions. The Employment Expectation and Evaluation Indices showed little change, reflecting resilience in employment confidence. The Willingness-to-Buy Index surged significantly by 6.7 points to 88.1 points. Among its components, the Timing Index for Major Household Durables stood out, jumping sharply by 7.0 points to 109.5 points. The Timing Index for Buying a Home rebounded strongly by 10.5 points, and the Timing Index for Buying a Car also increased notably by 2.7 points. These all indicate a significant improvement in consumer willingness to purchase high-value goods.

The indices show that in the first quarter of 2026, Shanghai’s Investor Confidence Index reached 123.8 points, rising both quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year, placing it in the optimistic range. The Investment Environment Confidence Index rebounded noticeably, with evaluations from entrepreneurs, institutional investors, and individual investors improving simultaneously. At the macro level, policies such as stabilizing growth have continued, releasing positive signals and stabilizing market expectations. Regarding the market, measures to promote consumption and other initiatives are advancing, leading to improved evaluations of the investment environment by enterprises and residents. Structurally, institutional investor confidence has seen a large degree of repair, with their approval ratings increasing.

Analysis points out that despite ongoing turbulence in the international situation and pressures from domestic economic transformation, the rebound in consumer confidence in the Shanghai market still demonstrates strong resilience. The significant rebound in the Willingness-to-Buy Index is an important signal of the repair of consumer confidence and the warming of market expectations.

Shanghai Social Survey Research Center

The Shanghai Social Survey Research Center (SSRC) is a prominent Chinese public opinion research and social survey institution, established in the early 21st century. It is known for conducting large-scale surveys on social attitudes, public policy, and quality of life, providing data-driven insights for academic and governmental use in Shanghai and across China.

Shanghai University of Economics and Finance

The Shanghai University of Economics and Finance (SUEF) is a prominent public university in China, originally established in 1917 as the Nanjing Advanced Normal School. It was later reorganized and renamed, evolving into a key institution focused on economics, finance, and management, playing a significant role in cultivating professionals for China’s modern economic development.

Shanghai Consumer Confidence Index

The Shanghai Consumer Confidence Index is not a physical place or cultural site, but a statistical indicator measuring the economic sentiment of consumers in Shanghai. It is compiled and released quarterly by the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, reflecting public perceptions of the local economy, job market, and personal finances since its inception. This data serves as a key economic barometer for policymakers and analysts tracking consumer behavior in China’s major commercial hub.

Shanghai Investor Confidence Index

The Shanghai Investor Confidence Index is not a physical place or cultural site, but a statistical economic indicator. It is a quarterly survey-based gauge that measures the sentiment and expectations of institutional and individual investors in China’s Shanghai financial market regarding the future economic and stock market outlook. First launched in 2012, it serves as a key barometer of market psychology for one of the world’s major financial centers.

Shanghai Socioeconomic Index Series

The “Shanghai Socioeconomic Index Series” is not a physical place or cultural site, but a collection of statistical data and indicators used to measure and analyze the economic and social development of Shanghai, China. It is compiled by research institutions or government bodies to track progress in areas like GDP, employment, and living standards over time. As a modern analytical tool, its history is tied to the city’s reform and rapid growth since the late 20th century, providing a quantitative narrative of Shanghai’s transformation into a global metropolis.