New York – According to the latest Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index, an increase in consumer confidence in Asian markets, as well as Brazil, continues to reflect signs that the economy is emerging from a global recession and, in some markets, the recovery is accelerating. Results of the Nielsen survey showed that confidence gains in markets recovering fastest from recession – including Hong Kong, China, Singapore, India and Brazil – have fueled renewed willingness to spend by many consumers as they head into 2010. More consumers are increasing savings and stock market investments, as well as spending more on ‘luxuries’ such as entertainment, clothes, and vacations. While eight of the top 10 most confident markets in the fourth quarter of 2009 came from Asia Pacific, including emerging markets Indonesia (ranked first) and India (ranked second), consumers in two of Asia’s most developed markets, South Korea and Japan, were the least confident. Brazil (ranked third) and Canada (ranked tenth) were the only countries outside of Asia to make the top 10. Hong Kong recorded the highest consumer confidence increase for the second consecutive quarter in Q4 – up seven index points from 93 in Q3 2009 to 100 (on a scale of 0 to 200 Index points) in Q4. Confidence in Hong Kong rose a total of 21 points since June 2009. Globally, between June and December last year, the Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index rose five points from 82 to 87.