Switzerland's consumer confidence rating has held steady at a positive level of 21 per cent according to the latest figures from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.

The rate is the highest since the record 25 points recorded in January 1989.

The quarterly poll of around 1,000 households found that they expected prices to rise in the next few months.

The survey shows persistent optimism on the country's economy with a positive rating of 52 points. That is just three points lower than July's level.

Asked about job security, the positive balance has jumped from plus 5 to plus 16 points. Until July, the rating on job security had been negative for ten years.

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