UK consumer confidence hits more than two-year high in September, GfK says

Sept 25 (Reuters) - British consumer confidence unexpectedly struck a more than two-year high this month as households grew more optimistic about their personal finances, according to a survey on Friday that added to recent signs of resilience in the economy.

Market research firm GfK's Consumer Confidence Barometer rose to -13 in September, up one point from last month and marking its highest level since August 2024, shortly after the governing Labour Party came to power.

A Reuters poll of economists had pointed to a fall to -16.

• GfK said consumers' confidence in the economic outlook also rose to its highest level since August 2024, while the mood around personal finances hit an eight-month high

• Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK, said the deteriorating inflation outlook could start to weigh on households

• "While the headline score continues to improve, confidence is still firmly in negative territory. With inflation, energy and fuel prices rising, could we soon see consumer sentiment falter?" he said

• Separate consumer confidence readings from YouGov/Cebr and LSEG/Ipsos published this month hit their highest readings since February

• Surveys from BRC/Opinium and S&P Global have shown a fall in consumer confidence

(Reporting by Andy Bruce; editing by Suban Abdulla)