South African consumer confidence recovers slightly in first quarter

South Africa's consumer confidence index recovered from near 14-year lows in the first quarter but remained in negative territory as the economic growth outlook remained bleak, a survey showed on Tuesday. The index registered -9 in the first quarter from -14 in the fourth quarter, said the First National Bank (FNB) and the Bureau for Economic Research, who compiled the report. FNB chief economist Sizwe Nxedlana said the slight recovery was helped by the end of power cuts and a fall in fuel price